Athletics Department | 7/11/2025 10:00:00 AM
MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead athletics has announced its Hall of Fame class for 2025. Seven individuals and a pair of teams make up the illustrious group that will be honored on October 3 as part of Homecoming week.
"One word that comes to mind when I look at this Hall of Fame class is transformational," said MSUM athletic director
Chad Markuson. "Each one of these individuals and teams transformed their programs and our department as a whole. To the point that we still see their impact to this day. I am extremely excited to welcome this group back to campus in October."
2025 Dragon Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Judy Bowers, Women's Basketball/Softball (1973-78)
There are few figures that have had a more deeply-rooted impact on women's athletics at MSUM than Judy Bowers. She was given two tall tasks in her tenure with the Dragons, the first came in 1973 as she served as head women's basketball coach. This came on the heels of Title IX as the Dragons would be a member of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) and the Minnesota Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (MAIAW). Bowers would quickly implement a fast style of play for the Dragons and was a frequent employer of the fullcourt press. In 1974, Bowers would also take on head softball coaching duties at MSUM, becoming the first softball coach in program history.
As head basketball coach, Bowers would go on to win a total of 64 games before her departure in 1978. In that time, she helped the Dragons to four AIAW Tournaments, including hosting the Region VI AIAW Tournament in March 1976. After moving into the Minn-Kota Conference ahead of the 1976-77 season, Bowers helped lead MSUM to a regular season conference championship behind a 6-1 record.
In her tenure as head softball coach, Bowers was equally impressive, tallying a 58-25 record with the Dragons. She helped guide the Dragons to a share of the Minn-Kota Conference title in 1978. In 1977, Bowers skippered an MSUM outfit that finished runner-up at the MAIAW State Championships. Throughout her tenure, Bowers would coach several Dragon Athletic Hall of Famers, including Mary Ann Donnay, Karin Schumacher, Betty Fiandaca, Lori Lacombe and Eileen Kuppich-Clark.
Paul Waskosky, Football (1981-84)
An exceptional interior defensive lineman, Paul Waskosky helped mold the culture of Dragon football in the 1980s. As a true freshman in 1981, Waskosky would be a part of the Dragon collective that went a staggering 10-1-1 during the season en route to an NIC championship. For his efforts, Waskosky was given the Tim Londgren Award, which was presented to the team's finest freshman defensive lineman or linebacker. The 1981 Dragons would secure a spot in the NAIA Playoffs, eventually falling to Pittsburg State, 14-13.
Waskosky and the Dragons were formidable again during his sophomore campaign in 1982 with MSUM going 7-2-1 and winning the conference again behind a 5-0 NIC record. Waskosky was a key piece to a stifling Dragon defense, registering 56 solo tackles. Additionally, he would collect 3.5 sacks while also recovering a fumble during the season. MSUM would again qualify for the NAIA Playoffs, eventually falling to Mesa State (now Colorado Mesa). In 1983, Waskosky helped the Dragons to a 6-3 overall record, which included a 3-1 mark at Nemzek Stadium.
In his senior season, Waskosky showcased himself as one of the NIC's top defenders. He was named to the All-NIC team after racking up a total of 66 tackles, including 14 solo stops and 52 assisted tackles. Waskosky would bat down a pair of passes during the season while also earning four sacks. For his efforts, Waskosky was also named an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention in 1984. The Dragons would win the NIC championship again that season, logging an overall record of 8-3. MSUM would again play in the NAIA Playoffs, falling to Central Arkansas in December 1984.
Jill Dixon, Volleyball (1998-2001)
A true testament to Dragon grit, Jill Dixon walked onto the MSUM volleyball team ahead of the 1998 season. From there, she would stamp one of the most impressive careers of any Dragon in the Division II era of athletics. She was named an All-NSIC First Team performer as a junior in 2000 after tallying 216 kills and 131 total blocks. Her blocks per set mark of 1.53 led the Northern Sun in 2000 and her eye-popping .383 hitting percentage was second in the league. Thanks in part to Dixon, MSUM would go on to capture an NSIC regular season championship behind a program-record 28 wins. Dixon also led the Dragons in hitting percentage as a sophomore in 1999, marking a .322 clip.
As a senior, Dixon was again named an All-NSIC performer, this time as an honorable mention selection. She concluded her Dragon career with 286 block assists, a mark that is eighth all-time in program history. Dixon also accrued 64 block solos in her career, which is the 10th-most in Dragon volleyball history. The Buffalo, Minn., native also holds the program's 12
th-best career hitting percentage at .270.
Craig Haukedahl, Football (1970-73)
Defense was key for Dragon football's success in the 1970s and Craig Haukedahl proved to be one of Ross Fortier's most formidable gridders. The Detroit Lakes, Minn., product was a standout cornerback for the Dragons, coming to campus ahead of Fortier's inaugural season as head coach in 1970. Although he reportedly joined the team late in fall camp, he would quickly rise to the varsity roster ahead of the season. His sure-fire tackling ability helped the Dragons to a 4-4-1 record in 1970, including a 3-1 mark at Nemzek Stadium. As a sophomore in 1971, Haukedahl helped the Dragons capture their first NIC championship in five seasons. MSUM would go 7-1-1 during the 1971 season, including an unblemished 6-0 in NIC games.
In 1972, Haukedahl and the Dragons would only continue the upward trajectory of Fortier's program. MSUM would go 7-3 on the season with a 3-1 mark at Nemzek Stadium, this included a resounding 49-0 victory over Winona State to cap the season. Haukedahl was fourth on the team in total tackles in 1972, tallying 53 stops. He would also intercept three passes in the fall of 1972. Across the 1971 and 1972 seasons, the Dragons would tally 30 interceptions as a unit. In 1972, the Dragon defense allowed only 207.9 yards per game to opposing offenses, a single season record at the time.
As a senior in 1973, Haukedahl made his way to the All-NIC team as the Dragons once again claimed a league title. MSUM went 7-3 overall and was a perfect 4-0 inside the friendly confines of Nemzek Stadium.
Mr. Haukedahl will be posthumously inducted in October.
Angie Jetvig, Women's Basketball (2008-12)
Another entry into the long line of superb Dragon posts, Angie Jetvig cemented herself as one of MSUM's all-time greats. The Hawley, Minn., native was a two-time All-NSIC performer for the Dragons in 2010-11 and 2011-12. As a junior in 2010-11, Jetvig ranked 15
th in the country in scoring average per game (19.3) and earned an All-NSIC First Team nod. That season saw Jetvig score 20 or more points on 15 different occasions as well as securing five double doubles. Jetvig was named to three All-America teams as a junior, which included The State Farm Coaches' All-American honorable mention team and the Women's Division II Bulletin honorable mention All-American. She was also an NCAA Division II Daktronics All-American and All-Central Region selection.
Her senior season saw Jetvig earn another All-NSIC First Team honor after averaging 17.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She would shoot an impressive 42.9 percent from the floor as a senior as well. Jetvig was named an NCAA Daktronics/D2CCA All-Central Region performer in 2011-12, but her accolades did not end there. By the end of her senior season, Jetvig had earned Daktronics and WBCA All-America honors, becoming the first player in program history to earn the award from the WBCA. Jetvig was also a three-time NSIC All-Academic student-athlete and was twice named MSUM's Most Valuable Player.
Currently, Jetvig is second all-time in MSUM history with 1,548 career points. She is also third all-time in blocked shots (115) and ninth in career rebounds (786). Her 580 career field goals made is the fourth-most in program history.
Derik Brugger, Track & Field (2005-09)
Derik Brugger and pole vault are synonymous terms when discussing MSUM track & field. Brugger stills holds the program records in both the indoor (17-0) and outdoor (16-08) pole vault with both marks poised to stand for some time. Brugger would begin his legendary career in 2005, securing All-NSIC Honorable Mention marks in the pole vault.
From there, he would turn in a stirring sophomore campaign, headlined by a pair of school records in the indoor and outdoor pole vault. Brugger would go on to break those marks in future seasons. He would sweep the pole vault events at the NSIC's indoor and outdoor championships in 2006. The Dickinson, N.D., native would earn NSIC Indoor Athlete of the Year for his efforts in the vault in 2006. The season culminated with an All-American certificate at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, the first of his career.
Brugger again won a pair of NSIC titles in the pole vault as a junior in 2007 and would also clinch his first indoor All-America nod. This came following a second-place finish at the national meet behind a clearance of 15-06.25. In 2008, Brugger earned another outdoor All-America certificate in the pole vault. He would conclude his career during the 2009 indoor season, again winning the NSIC's Indoor Athlete of the Year award. The honor came after Brugger won his third NSIC indoor title in the pole vault. Brugger would clinch his fourth All-America honor at that year's indoor championships.
Keith McCarty, Track & Field (1980-84)
In an era that saw several stars grace the track in Moorhead, Keith McCarty may have been one of the biggest. The Hawley, Minn., native was an All-American for the Dragons in the challenging 400m dash. He continues to be regarded as one of the program's top 400m runners. In the indoor 400m, McCarty would capture NIC championships in back-to-back seasons in 1983 and 1984. As a senior in 1984, McCarty earned his first All-America certificate in the indoor 440-yard dash, placing fourth. Currently, McCarty holds the fifth-fastest indoor 400m in school history (48.6).
On the outdoor side, McCarty enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign which would lay the groundwork for his stellar career. He would win an NIC title in the 400m that season and would follow that up with a conference title in the 400m in 1983. As a team, MSUM would win six consecutive NIC titles across the indoor and outdoor seasons in 1982, 1983 and 1984. McCarty currently holds the seventh-fastest outdoor 400m in program history (48.3). McCarty was also a member of nine conference championship relays while at MSUM.
2025 Dragon Athletic Hall of Champions Inductees
2004-05 Women's Basketball
Few teams have left behind an impact quite like the 2004-05 women's basketball outfit that achieved a 24-7 overall record. Under head coach Karla Nelson, the Dragons would make history throughout the year, becoming the first women's basketball team in the NCAA era to qualify for a regional tournament. By year's end, MSUM would set a single-season school record for field goal percentage, clipping an immaculate 46 percent from the floor for the year. This included setting a single-game field goal percentage record of 66.7 percent against Wayne State on January 8, 2005. MSUM would win its third NSIC regular season championship and would qualify for the NSIC Tournament Championship. The team's season would end at the NCAA Central Region Tournament against St. Cloud State.
MSUM would have a pair of All-NSIC selections in Jackie Doerr and Dana Weibel. Doerr would average 11.9 points per game while leading the team in total assists (88). Weibel would lead the team in scoring average, pouring in 13.3 points per game while also holding a team-best 48 steals.
Jessica Fesenmaier would be right behind Weibel in the scoring column, averaging 13.2 points per game with a team-best 6.3 rebounds a contest. What was more impressive was Fesenmaier's 58.7 connection rate from the floor, which was second-best in the NSIC. Allison Swenson would average 8.7 points per game for the Dragons with 5.5 rebounds as well. Jenny Thon would also be a key piece to the Dragon puzzle, averaging 7.3 points and six rebounds a game. Thon shot 51.2 percent from the field on the year.
1976 Men's Track & Field
The Dragon track & field team of 1976 only continued to uphold the standard of success set under head coach Ron Masanz. MSUM captured indoor and outdoor team championships in 1976. The indoor win was MSUM's seventh straight crown while the outdoor showing became the fifth straight Dragon victory. Individually, John Tiemann earned an indoor NAIA All-America bid in the 880-yard after placing third overall. During the outdoor season, Gary Nordlund (10,000m) and Linc Woodbury (1500m) would finish eighth and 10
th respectively at the national meet.
MSUM's indoor outfit saw four NIC championships in various events, led by Woodbury in the 1000-yard run. The Dragons also saw conference championship showings from Dwight Carlson (600-yard), Tiemann (mile run) and the mile relay. MSUM saw a school record performance from Dave Bergstrom in high jump during the 1976 indoor campaign as he cleared 6-09.5. Bergstrom would go on to reset that record on numerous occasions during his career. At the NIC meet, MSUM would claim the team title by 25 points.
The outdoor sequence would see MSUM truly dominate the competition across several events. Cal Baker (triple jump), Nordlund (10,000m/six-mile run), Dave Thompson (440-yard), John Thorvilson (440-yard IMH), Tony Tuseth (high jump), Woodbury (880-yard) and a pair or relays would all capture NIC titles. School records were set by Tuseth (high jump), Baker (triple jump), Thorvilson (440-yard IMH) and Greg Brown (steeplechase) during the season. Tuseth and Baker also set NIC records in their respective events as well in 1976. MSUM won the conference title by a staggering 35.5 points, tallying 128.5 for the meet as a whole.
