MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

August 5, 2017 

Excitement surrounds the return of student athletes and all students as a new academic year begins

 

The summer has flown by! It’s hard to believe the student athletes will already be back on campus this weekend! The volleyball players report to campus on Aug. 6, as do the football players. 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 ten-year Mayville State head coach and Mayville State graduate Lindsey Johnson. Coach Johnson will be assisted by Mayville State graduates Michelle Warren and Katie Wangberg.

The volleyball team will conclude pre-season activities when they head to Denver, Colo. to compete in the Johnson & Wales Tournament in Denver, Colo. Aug. 17-19.  The first home volleyball game is scheduled for Sept. 26, when the Comets will play Trinity Bible College of Ellendale, N.D.

Sean Thom will make his debut as a first-year head coach for the Comets football team in 2017. Coach Thom is being assisted by Rod Oksendahl, Derek Bakken, Paul Whitaker, Shane Clancy, Brian Quinn, Aaron Johnson, Andy Gorniak, and Erik Gibson.

While coaches are still recruiting, they expect about 90 players to report for camp. The football team’s first game for 2017 will be on Saturday, Aug. 31, when the Comets will play Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. The first home game will be the Farmers Bowl game on Sept. 9. The Comets will host Sterling College. The football team is scheduled to play six home games and five road games this year.

The other Mayville State athletic teams will be led by new and long-time coaches. Dennis Hutter is returning for his 13th season as the head coach of the women’s basketball team. Darren Tighe will be in his first year as head men’s basketball coach. Mayville State alumna Ashley VandeVeen will return for her fifth year as head coach of the women’s fastpitch softball team. She is being assisted again this year by Courtney Priddie. An additional softball coaching assistant is yet to be named. Coach VandeVeen is excited about the roster of 24 players she’ll have. Scott Berry will be returning for his 35th year as head baseball coach.  

We’re looking forward to a promising year in Comet athletics. We invite you to attend Mayville State’s games whenever you can. The game schedules for the teams can be found on the Mayville State University Athletics website at www.msucomets.com. Printed pocket schedules will be available soon at Mayville 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. 19. Classes will begin at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, and the first full day of classes for the fall semester is Tuesday, Aug. 22. If you’re interested in attending Mayville 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 Mayville State’s Market Day? This will be an opportunity to promote your business, church, volunteer organization, or activity to Mayville State students. It’s also an opportunity to visit with Mayville State students about potential employment and volunteering needs. Participants can provide free samples, brochures, or other items to the students. Market Day will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 in the Campus Center Foyer. If you’re interested, please send an email to Adam at adam.edwards@mayvillestate.edu 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 by Aug. 17.