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.  
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.
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 Minnesota Community College Conference State Championship and Region 13 championship, leading them to their first national championship tournament.
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.

 

Spartan wrestler Daryl Tysdal in his winning match against a Rochester opponent in the 1983 Minnesota Community College Conference State Wrestling Tournament. Scott Rieland (55) and Matt Miller (90) catch Itasca's Mike Dagel mid-flight as Timmy Green (50) and Roy Rogers (45) hurry toward the play during the Spartan football team's winning 2003 homecoming game.
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.
The 1979 Spartans softball team poses for a team picture with coach Ann Williams on the far right. Spartan volleyball player Brenda Berg (6) goes for the ball during a winning match against Moorhead State in 1983.

 


Past Spartans Champions

 

BASEBALL

MCAC Champions:
 1971, 2002, 2004, 2005

Region XIII Champions & National Tournament: 
 2004
MEN'S BASKETBALL

MCAC Champions:
 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2003

Region XIII & National Tournament:
 1984, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2025
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MCAC Champions:
 1985

Region XII Champions:
 2001, 2021

National Tournament:
 2001
FOOTBALL

MCAC Champions:
 2001

Region XIII Champions:
 2001
MEN'S GOLF

MCAC Champions:
 1976, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Region XIII Champions:
 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

National Tournament:
 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
WOMEN'S GOLF

National Tournament:
 2008
SOFTBALL

MCAC Champions:
 2004, 2005

Region XIII Champions:
 2004
VOLLEYBALL

Region XIII Champions:
 2003, 2004, 2012, 2022, 2023

National Tournament:
 2003, 2004, 2012, 2022, 2023
WRESTLING

MCAC Champions:
 1970
 

NJCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Men’s Golf 2012

INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Wyatt Blomseth: Men’s Golf 2021
Ellia Soydara: Women’s Golf 2024

  

 

 

 

Past Spartan Student Athletes of the Year

2025

Madison Foss

Foday Sheriff

2024

Ellia Soydara

Jayna (Gronewold) Stilwell

Sam Tagg

2023

Emily Dehler

Brett Engelmeyer

2022

Bailey Marty

Christian Norby

 

2019

Sydney Hovland

Matt Pietsch

2018

Sam Lupkes

Chris Tungseth

 

2017

Haley Poehler

Jay Zimmerman

 		  

2016

Heidi (Eggen) Grunewald

Chaney Pal

2015

Danielle (Pratt) Johnson

Austin Hanson

2014

Maria (Johnson) Bednar

Peter Gaustad

 

2013

Christine (Moenkedick) Nygard

Lucas Gervais

 		 2012

Jordyn (Campbell) Bossert

Spencer Kidder

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

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

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

1999

Anita (Follingstad) Heier

Bob Schlieman

1998

Renae (Levang) Long

Jason Retzlaff

 

1997

Stacy (Lill) Hansel

Michael Lavang

 		 1996

Stacy (Lill) Hansel

Jeremy Zirbes

1995

Heather (Will) Thormodson

Jason Lindquist

1994

Jessica (Ward) Hennessey

Adam Steege

 

1993

Amy (Nelson) Trast

Eric Berger

 		 1992

Pam (Martinson) Schmidt

Ken Kendall

1991

Sharon (Tschida) Navratil

Jon Lillquist

1990

Stephanie (Nelson) Malingen

Peter Grove

 

1989

Nancy (Stodolka) Danculovich

Scott Colbeck

 

1988

Kim (Tschepen) Piehl

Jim Witt

1987

Teresa (Olson) Langlie

Jon Theilen

1986

Pauline (Evavold) Dunn

Todd Fjestad

 

1985

Margaret (Runyan) Ruffino

Kim Baumgartner

 

1984

Terri (Byrne) Strom

Jason DuBois

1983

Linda Minten

Daryl Tysdal

1982

Sandy (Anderson) Van Dyke

Kip Gauldin

1981

Sue Haller

Greg Maack

 		 1980

Cheri (Nitz) Hanneman

1979

Linda (Johnson) Seavers

 1977

Larry TeBrake

1976

Harold Holt

 1975

Randy Swanson

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