One of the first signs of the beginning of the fall semester is the return of athletes to campus. The volleyball players report to campus on Aug. 7, as do the returning football players. The rest of the football team will report Aug. 14. Members of the baseball and men’s basketball teams will be back on Aug. 18, along with the cheer team. We eagerly await the return of the student athletes on campus and look forward to watching them in action in their respective sports.
There are 20 players on the volleyball roster. They are led by nine-year 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State head coach and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State graduate Lindsey Johnson. Coach Johnson will be assisted by 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State graduate Michelle Warren. Also helping out again this year is Katie Wangberg. The volleyball team will conclude pre-season activities on Aug. 26, when they head to a tournament in Peru, Neb.
The football team’s first game for 2016 will be on Saturday, Sept. 3, when the Comets will play Buena Vista University in a home game beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Jerome Berg Field. One hundred thirty players are expected to report for camp. The football team is scheduled to play six home games and four road games this year.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø State alumnus John Haines has started his third year as head coach for the Comets football team. Coach Haines is being assisted by David Pena, Denver Price, Nate Gill, Billy Tomblin, Weston McGill, and Anton Anderson. Graduate assistant Jake McSpadden will also be helping out this season.
Dennis Hutter is returning for his twelfth season as the head coach of the women’s basketball team. He will again be assisted by 2009 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State graduate Dave Moe, along with graduate assistant Lulu Seelye. The women’s basketball roster includes 20 players.
This will be the fifth season at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State for head men’s basketball coach Dan DeWitt. His assistant is 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State alumnus Bryen Pyles. Graduate assistant Alex Herman will also be back this year. Practice for the men will begin this fall, and the first game is scheduled for October 29, when the team will play against Silver Lake College at home. Coach DeWitt expects to have 30 players on the roster.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø State alumna Ashley VandeVeen will return for her fourth year as head coach of the women’s fastpitch softball team. She is being assisted again this year by Stephanie Graziani. Graduate assistant Courtney Priddie will also help out. Coach VandeVeen is excited about the roster of 20 players she’ll have.
Head baseball coach Scott Berry will be returning for his thirty-fourth year as head coach. Coach Berry will be assisted by Peter Pratt, who was a pitching coach at St. Cloud State before joining the Comets coaching staff six years ago. Billy Tomblin and graduate assistant Spencer Mallonee will also help out. Coaches expect to have 60 players on the team this year.
We’re looking forward to a promising year in Comet athletics. We invite you to attend 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State’s games whenever you can. The game schedules for the teams can be found on the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Athletics website at . Printed pocket schedules will be available soon at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State’s main athletics office.
Student athletes will be moving into the residence halls at various times over the next couple of weeks. All other students can move into the halls on Saturday, Aug. 20. We’re grateful to CRU and other campus volunteers who will be helping these students get their things hauled into their dorm rooms, suites, and apartments. Classes will begin at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, and the first full day of classes for the fall semester is Tuesday, Aug. 23. If you’re interested in attending 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State this fall, it’s not too late. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 701-788-4842 or askus@mayvillestate.edu.
Would your business or organization like to have a booth at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State’s Market Day on Friday, Aug. 26? This will be an opportunity to promote your business, church, volunteer organization, or activity to 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State students. It’s also an opportunity to visit with 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State students about potential employment and volunteering needs. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Foyer. Participants can provide free samples, brochures, or other items to the students. If you’re interested, please send an email to Last day for sign up will be August 18.. Please email us at: student.life@mayvillestate.edu to confirm your place at the event.Last day for sign up will be August 18.. Please email us at: student.life@mayvillestate.edu to confirm your place at the event.Last day for sign up will be August 18.. Please email us at: student.life@mayvillestate.edu to confirm your place at the student.life@mayvillestate.edu by Aug. 18.