How the Spartans got started.
Spartan Athletics traces its roots to the earliest days of the M State Fergus Falls campus.
A crowd of basketball fans cheer on the Spartans in the semi-finals of the Region 13 tournament in March of 1988.
In 1960, the college – then known as Fergus Falls Junior College – was housed in a newly-built wing of the local senior high school. The college’s first basketball team practiced in the high school gym and played its inaugural game in December of that year.
From the start, campus leadership envisioned an experience comparable to the first two years at a four-year college. Wes Waage, the college’s first dean and later its president, was deeply committed to building both a strong academic foundation and a competitive varsity athletics program. He recruited Dave Retzlaff to coach basketball and baseball, restructured physical education, and launched an intramural program. Waage also hired Ann Williams to coach the Lady Spartans volleyball team. A passionate Spartans fan, Waage was known for attending nearly every game.
Over the decades, the Spartans grew increasingly competitive, expanding the athletics lineup to include football, track, softball, golf and other sports. Along the way, Spartan teams and individual athletes celebrated regional, state and national successes and built a strong following among students and community members. From the beginning, M State attracted talented athletes whose dedication and performance helped shape the proud tradition of Spartan Athletics.
Lady Spartans basketball players, left to right: Margaret Runyan, Darla Klein,
Renae Aasen and Sue Neller celebrate their 1985 state championship win.
Spartan men's basketball players, left to right: Tom Schneider, Kevin Boe, Chris Capps, Jeff Olson (face obscured), Kevin Lee,
Dan Greenwaldt, James Greenwaldt and John Van Kempen hold up their regional championship trophy in 1984. It was the team's first
time winning the state and regional championships, leading them to their first national tournament.
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ABOVE LEFT: Spartan wrestler Daryl Tysdal in his winning match at the 1983 state tournament.
ABOVE RIGHT: Scott Rieland (55) and Matt Miller (90) stop an opposing player during the Spartan football team's winning 2003 homecoming game.
BELOW LEFT: The 1979 Spartans softball team poses for a team picture with coach Ann Williams on the far right.
BELOW RIGHT: Spartan volleyball player Brenda Berg (6) goes for the ball during a winning match against Moorhead State in 1983.
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Past Spartans Champions
BASEBALLMCAC Champions: Region XIII Champions & National Tournament: |
MEN'S BASKETBALLMCAC Champions: Region XIII & National Tournament: |
WOMEN'S BASKETBALLMCAC Champions: Region XII Champions: National Tournament: |
FOOTBALLMCAC Champions: Region XIII Champions: |
MEN'S GOLFMCAC Champions: Region XIII Champions: National Tournament: |
WOMEN'S GOLFNational Tournament: |
SOFTBALLMCAC Champions: Region XIII Champions: |
VOLLEYBALLRegion XIII Champions: National Tournament: |
WRESTLINGMCAC Champions: |
NJCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL CHAMPIONSMen’s Golf 2012 INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSWyatt Blomseth: Men’s Golf 2021 |
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Past Spartan Student Athletes of the Year
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2025 Madison Foss Foday Sheriff |
2024 Ellia Soydara Jayna (Gronewold) Stilwell Sam Tagg |
2023 Emily Dehler Brett Engelmeyer |
2022 Bailey Marty Christian Norby
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2019 Sydney Hovland Matt Pietsch |
2018 Sam Lupkes Chris Tungseth |
2017 Haley Poehler Jay Zimmerman |
2016 Heidi (Eggen) Grunewald Chaney Pal |
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2015 Danielle (Pratt) Johnson Austin Hanson |
2014 Maria (Johnson) Bednar Peter Gaustad |
2013 Christine (Moenkedick) Nygard Lucas Gervais |
2012
Jordyn (Campbell) Bossert Spencer Kidder |
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2011 Whitney (Moore) Johnson Sam Thielen Eric Shulstad |
2010 Denise (Ripplinger) Warzecha Tanner Gramm Ray Gardner |
2009
Deveny (Moore) Vukonich Josh Hiltner |
2008
Sammi (Woida) Kerr Taurean Smith |
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2007 Karla (Luther) Skwira Dustin Monsebroten |
2006 Jessica (Asuma) Curry Caleb Curry |
2005
Kelly Baumgartner Katie (Shaikoski) Oster Tyler Knott |
2004
Jessica (Holicky) Price Lucas Hansen |
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2003 Merri Anne Werder Brandon Goltz |
2002
Merri Anne Werder Justin Arneson |
2001 Jessica (Draper) Huebner Jared Swanson Justin Ameson |
2000
Mandi (Boyack) Kaldor Rick Schlieman |
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1999 Anita (Follingstad) Heier Bob Schlieman |
1998 Renae (Levang) Long Jason Retzlaff |
1997 Stacy (Lill) Hansel Michael Lavang |
1996
Stacy (Lill) Hansel Jeremy Zirbes |
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1995 Heather (Will) Thormodson Jason Lindquist |
1994 Jessica (Ward) Hennessey Adam Steege |
1993 Amy (Nelson) Trast Eric Berger |
1992
Pam (Martinson) Schmidt Ken Kendall |
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1991 Sharon (Tschida) Navratil Jon Lillquist |
1990 Stephanie (Nelson) Malingen Peter Grove |
1989 Nancy (Stodolka) Danculovich Scott Colbeck |
1988 Kim (Tschepen) Piehl Jim Witt |
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1987 Teresa (Olson) Langlie Jon Theilen |
1986 Pauline (Evavold) Dunn Todd Fjestad |
1985 Margaret (Runyan) Ruffino Kim Baumgartner |
1984 Terri (Byrne) Strom Jason DuBois |
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1983 Linda Minten Daryl Tysdal |
1982 Sandy (Anderson) Van Dyke Kip Gauldin |
1981 Sue Haller Greg Maack |
1980
Cheri (Nitz) Hanneman |
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1979 Linda (Johnson) Seavers |
1977
Larry TeBrake |
1976 Harold Holt |
1975
Randy Swanson |
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1974 Howard Bremmer |
1973 Dave Johnsrud |
Spirit Awards
The Spirit Awards honor tough, tenacious and talented women’s basketball players at M State. Presented in memory of Eleanor Hoff, the awards recognize athletes who exemplify the true spirit of the game.
Hoff served M State for more than 20 years as an administrative assistant for student personnel before retiring in 1987. A passionate and longtime supporter of M State athletics, she remained one of the program’s most enthusiastic fans until her passing in 2005. In years since, from 2006 through 2019, women’s basketball student-athletes have been recognized in her honor.
2006: Shana Wigdahl
2007: Samantha Martin
2008: Britanny Quistorff
2009: Deveny Moore
2010: Jess Amann
2011: Whitney Moore
2012: Jordyn Campbell
2013: Alyssa Blair
2014: Danielle Pratt
2015: Jackie Imsande
2016: Heidi Eggen
2017: Emily Hendrickson
2018: Claire Mathiesen
2019: Ashlee Rimpila, Paige Schulz