College

UWS Athletics Discuss Importance of Taking Care of Mental Health During Pandemic

The Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being works with student-athletes year-round, but with the coronavirus pandemic, their work becomes even more important. 

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Now more than ever, taking care of both your physical and mental health is extremely important, something the staff at Wisconsin-Superior is trying to emphasize to their student-athletes. “It shows that we care about our student athletes, their mental well being. We really do care,” Interim Director for Health, Counseling and Well-Being Randy Barker said. In 2018,…

Coaches Corner: Jen Walter

For this week's segment, we hear from the head coach of the UMD softball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with UMD softball head coach Jen Walter as she spoke about the sudden cancellation of the college softball season. She also spoke about how she’s keeping busy while in quarantine and what Mandy Matula Day means to the Bulldogs program. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of…

South Ridge’s Kayden Palmi Commits to Northland College Men’s Basketball Team

Palmi helped the Panthers double their win total this past season.

CULVER, Minn. – South Ridge big man Kayden Palmi put pen to paper Friday morning as he signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Northland College men’s basketball team. Palmi helped the Panthers double their win total this past season. The Lumberjacks play in the UMAC so we’ll be seeing Palmi a lot when Northland College visits St….

UMD’s Josh Berlo Talks Possibility of No Fans at Games, Shortened Hockey Season

Berlo says that the athletic department hopes to know in the next month what the fall season will look like.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the coronavirus pandemic officially wiping out whatever was left of spring sports and several summer events being effected, the conversation now becomes will we have sports to watch in the fall, specifically at UMD. The football team has already started preparing for their upcoming season, but across the nation, teams are thinking about the possibility of…

UMD’s Jen Walter Staying Sharp in Quarantine

Walter has been using her free time on social media, jumping on Zoom meetings for coaching camps.

DULUTH, Minn. – While everyone is trying to find different ways to pass the time during self-isolation, UMD softball coach Jen Walter is staying sharp on her knowledge of the game. Walter has been using her free time on social media, jumping on Zoom meetings for coaching camps. She says she could spend hours asking questions and learning from her…

Cromwell’s Micah Pocernich Commits to Northwestern Men’s Basketball Team

In his final year with the Cardinals, Pocernich became the all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,942 points.

CROMWELL, Wis. – Cromwell-Wright’s Micah Pocernich announced on Twitter Wednesday that he has committed to joining the Northwestern men’s basketball team. In his final year with the Cardinals, Pocernich became the all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,942 points. The Eagles are one of the most successful programs in the UMAC, winning eight of the past ten postseason tournaments….

Three-Time National Champion, Superior Native Ross Kennelly Speaks to Spartans Football Team

"You control what you can control and part of that is your attitude," Kennelly said.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior football team are starting to prepare for their upcoming season with Zoom meetings. The Spartans recently had a special guest speaker: North Dakota State long snapper and three-time national champion Ross Kennelly, who is a former Superior football player. “It was also me letting those guys know that I’m in the same boat as they…

UMD Cheer Teams Hold Virtual Tryouts

The football/competition cheer team will announce their rosters on Monday, while the hockey cheer team will start tryouts this upcoming week.

DULUTH, Minn. – This time of year was supposed to be tryout season for the UMD hockey and football cheerleading teams. But this year, both teams have now had to go virtual. “Bree and myself and a couple others from the team that will be taking leadership positions, they performed and videoed from the front and the back and we…

Coaches Corner: Greg Culver

For this week's segment, we hear from the general manager of the Duluth Huskies.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Duluth Huskies general manager Greg Culver who talked about the latest news involving the cancellation of Opening Day games by the Northwoods League. Culver also discussed the difficulties of getting ready for the season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Categories: College, Northwoods League, Sports

“Saints By The Second” A Recruiting Success for CSS Football Team

This gives former players a chance to stay involved with the program, even when everyone is in quarantine.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team has found lots of success with their recent “Saints By The Second” recruiting tool. Current and former players post videos on Twitter talking about their experience with the team that gives recruits an inside look into the program. “It’s just a way to verify whatever I’m telling them, whatever coaches are telling…

Biondi, Gotz Become Latest Hawks to Join UMD Men’s Hockey Team

The pair will join Cole Koepke and Jesse Jacques as the Bulldogs will feature four former Hermantown players on their squad.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former Hermantown hockey stars Blake Biondi and Darian Gotz have been sitting on their verbal college commitments for a few years now. But this week, they each signed their National Letter of Intent to officially join the UMD men’s hockey team. “It’s obviously feels great. It’s been my dream since I was 3 years old. Once I…

Tamara Moore Talks History-Making Hire with Norsemen Men’s Basketball Team

As the former Minnesota Lynx guard becomes the first female to lead a men's college basketball program, she wants to make sure she won't be the last.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – This past weekend, Mesabi Range College made history as they hired Tamara Moore to be the new head coach of their men’s basketball team. As a player, she’s a former winner of the Miss Minnesota Basketball Award, a former University of Wisconsin women’s basketball star and spent six seasons in the WNBA. She’s also experienced on the…

Cloquet Native Westin Michaud Signs with AHL’s Manitoba Moose

The Moose are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets who are home to Hermantown natives Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Universtiy of North Dakota forward Westin Michaud has signed with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The Cloquet native was tied for the team lead in goals with 16 and added 12 assists to help the Fighting Hawks capture the Penrose Cup as the top team in the NCHC. Michaud spent the first three years of his…

Perunovich Receives High Praise from UMD’s Former Hobey Baker Winners

Both Bill Watson and Jack Connolly say that the fact that Perunovich is a local player makes this honor that much more special to the program.

DULUTH, Minn. – This past weekend, UMD’s Scott Perunovich became the sixth Bulldog ever to win the Hobey Baker Award. We spoke with two of the other five winners, Bill Watson and Jack Connolly, who say that the Hibbing native has left a strong legacy at UMD. “There is nothing that he hasn’t accomplished as an individual player. But more…

Former Coaches Not Surprised by Perunovich’s Hobey Baker Win

Scott Sandelin and Todd Versich had high praise for a player that each of them got to coach.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is still buzzing after the announcement that UMD defenseman and Hibbing native Scott Perunovich was named the 2020 Hobey Baker Award winner. We spoke with Bulldogs head coach Scott Sandelin to get his reaction to the big news. “I think the people that have seen him play know what kind of player he is. He…

Former WNBA Player Tamara Moore Named New Head Coach of Mesabi Range Men’s Basketball Team

Moore returns to her homestate where she was named Miss Minnesota Basketball in 1998.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Saturday, Mesabi Range College announced that former Minnesota Lynx guard Tamara Moore has been named the new head coach of the men’s basketball team, becoming the first female ever hired to run a men’s basketball program. Moore was named Miss Minnesota Basketball back in 1998, helping Minneapolis North High School go undefeated and win a state championship….

Scott Perunovich Wins Hobey Baker Award

The Hibbing native is the sixth UMD men's hockey player to win the award.

HIBBING, Minn. – UMD junior defenseman Scott Perunovich is the 2020 Hobey Baker Award Winner, edging out North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Perunovich, a Hibbing native, was named NCHC Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring, the first defenseman to do so. He also became the first player in league history to…

UMD Men’s Basketball to Hold Virtual Skills Camp

Over the next four weeks, five 30 minute pre-recorded videos will be released of the Bulldog coaching staff walking participants through different drills.

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the UMD men’s basketball team will be holding a virtual skills camp. Over the next four weeks, five 30 minute pre-recorded videos will be released of the coaching staff walking participants through different drills. With gyms shut down, these workouts were designed to be done with little space and equipment needed. While the Bulldogs currently…

Four Bulldogs Attain All-American Status

Scott Perunovich, Noah Cates, Cole Koepke and Hunter Shepard were all named American Hockey Coaches Association All-Americans for the 2019-20 season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Four UMD men’s hockey players, defenseman Scott Perunovich, goaltender Hunter Shepard, and forward Cole Koepke and Noah Cates were named American Hockey Coaches Association All-Americans for the 2019-20 season. Perunovich, was also named Hobey Baker Award winner on Saturday night, has received this honor three times, while this is Shepard’s second selection. Perunovich was a first-time (West)…

St. Scholastica Women’s Hockey Coach Navigates Coronavirus Pandemic

The two-time national champion at UMD had a life-saving liver transplant five years ago and now has to take extra precautions as coronavirus continues to spread.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the sports world still shut down, many athletes and coaches are adjusting to a new normal. But for one St. Scholastica assistant coach, the coronavirus makes things a little tougher. St. Scholastica women’s hockey assistant coach Julianne Vasichek had just wrapped up her first season in her new role when the coronavirus paused the sports world….

Hermantown Native, Winnipeg Defenseman Neal Pionk Talks Quarantine Life

Pionk added that he knows it's going to be a while until he goes back to Winnipeg so in the meantime, he's staying in game shape.

DULUTH, Minn. – Four weeks ago, the NHL announced it would be suspending play immediately due to the coronavirus pandemic. That left many players, including Winnipeg defenseman and Hermantown native Neal Pionk, scrambling for answers in a situation that no one was prepared for. “It was a time of the unknown. Usually in a world where you know things, you’re…

NAHL Draft Moved to July 21st

This also means that pre-draft camps will be moved as well, but will remain in their same locations.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The NAHL announced Friday it has moved the day of their draft to July 21st. This also means that pre-draft camps will be moved as well, but will remain in their same locations. The Superior, Colorado camp will now take place starting June 26th. The Trenton, Michigan camp has been moved to July 10th. The Minnkota camp…

Remembering the UMD Men’s Hockey Team’s 2011 National Championship

The Bulldogs knocked off Michigan 3-2, thanks to Kyle Schmidt's overtime goal and iconic celebration.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nine years ago on April 9th, the UMD men’s hockey team won their first national championship in program history. Let’s step into a time machine and relive that magic night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as the Bulldogs knocked off Michigan 3-2, thanks to Kyle Schmidt’s overtime goal and iconic celebration. Categories: College, Sports,…

CSS Athletics Honoring Senior Student-Athletes

The Saints are giving their athletes one last chance to remember their college careers.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the UMAC is honoring senior student-athletes from the spring sports season. St. Scholastica is also doing the same on their social media accounts to give their athletes one last chance to remember their college careers. “The feedback I’ve gotten, and even going now into the winter sports and hearing back from some of them, that…

Joel Barta Steps Down as Northland College Baseball Coach

Barta returned to the program last September after starting as the Lumberjacks' first head coach in 2000.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College announced Wednesday that Joel Barta has resigned as head coach of the Lumberjacks baseball team. According to a press release, the move was due to personal reasons as Barta wants to spend more time with family. Barta, who was the Lumberjack’s first head coach in program history from 2000 to 2006, returned to the program…

Former Hermantown Star, UMD Standout Dylan Samberg Signs with Winnipeg Jets

Samberg will join another former Hawk on the team in Hermantown native Neal Pionk.

DULUTH, Minn. – So far, two UMD men’s hockey players have left school early to go to the NHL: Scott Perunovich with the St. Louis Blues and Justin Richards with the New York Rangers. Add one more to the list as Hermantown native Dylan Samberg has signed a three-year-deal with the Winnipeg Jets. “I’m very excited. This is something that…

UMD Football’s Garth Heikkinen Named to All-Decade Team

The Duluth native currently serves as the offensive line coach of the Bulldogs.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD offensive line coach Garth Heikkinen has been named to the All-Decade Team by D2Football.com. Back in 2012, the Duluth native became the first Bulldog to win the Gene Upshaw National Division II Lineman of the Year Award and was also chosen to six different All-American teams. His streak of 54 consecutive games started is still a…

Saints Athletic Trainers Navigate COVID-19 Challenges

The St. Scholastica athletic training program was recognized during March for National Athletic Trainers Awareness month.

DULUTH, Minn. – March was National Athletic Trainer Awareness month, shinning a light on how they help student athletes across the country. The St. Scholastica program worked all month-long to showcase what they do, how they’re available for student-athletes, and how they’re daily routines changed once the coronavirus hit. “We have taken for granted so long that sports are always…

Coaches Corner: Curt Wiese

For this week's segment, we hear from the head coach of the UMD men's football team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we catch up with UMD head football coach Curt Wiese as he announced that spring practices have been cancelled. Among the topics discussed are the team’s plans moving forward as they get ready for the fall and how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted recruiting. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports,…

The Road to the Pros Begins for UMD’s Brandon Myer

The Superior native figures he'll have to start his career somewhere overseas.

DULUTH, Minn. – After a stellar career at UMD, Brandon Myer now has his eyes on playing professionally. But with everyone in quarantine, it’s making things a little tougher for the Superior native. “The most negative way its impacted me specifically would be the gyms that aren’t open anymore. I guess I hoop out in the driveway. But that’s not…

UMD Athletics Letting Go of Longtime SID Bob Nygaard

Nygaard is the longest serving member of the UMD athletic staff at 37 years.

DULUTH, Minn. – Longtime UMD sports information director Bob Nygaard has been let go from his position. Nygaard is the longest serving member of the UMD athletic staff at 37 years with the Bulldogs where he was in charge of media and public relations. In 2015, he was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame…

Tim Madsen Steps Down as CSS Men’s Hockey Head Coach

Madsen spent the past two seasons as the Saints' bench boss, guiding them to a 20-30-2 record.

DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica announced today that Tim Madsen has stepped down as head coach of the nen’s hockey team. Madsen spent the past two seasons as the Saints’ bench boss, guiding them to a 20-30-2 record, including a top-ten national ranking in his first year and a Harris Cup Playoffs appearance this past season. In…

UMD’s Justin Richards Signs with New York Rangers

Since 2007, Richards is the 21st Bulldog to leave UMD early to go pro.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – In his freshman year, Justin Richards scored a grand total of zero goals. Two years later, he’s become a two-time NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year and now, his career will continue in the pros. Richards has signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. He says the team reached out to him last…

UMD’s Scott Perunovich Named Hobey Hat Trick Finalist

The Hibbing native is the ninth Bulldog ever to be named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD defenseman Scott Perunovich was named a Hobey Hat Trick Finalist, along with North Dakota’s Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine’s Jeremy Swayman. The Hibbing native is the ninth Bulldog ever to be named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and the first since Jack Connolly back in 2012. Perunovich, who signed a pro deal last week with…

Spring Practice Cancelled for UMD Football Team

The Bulldogs were scheduled to begin spring practices last week.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s spring time and for any other year, that would mean the start of spring football practice for the UMD Bulldogs. But as we’ve learned for the past few weeks, this isn’t any other year. According to head coach Curt Wiese, spring football camp has been cancelled, which includes the annual Red and Maroon Game. Coach Wiese…

Longtime Runner, UMD Alum Reacts to Grandma’s Marathon Cancellation

Joanna Olson was already training for the Big Sur Marathon in California before that was cancelled as well.

DULUTH, Minn. – Another major event is taken down by the coronavirus pandemic as Grandma’s Marathon has been cancelled for the first time in 43 years. Longtime runner and Glencoe, Minnesota native Joanna Olson spoke about her initial reaction to the news. “Well I was bummed, of course, training for it. Bummed for not only the runners, the volunteers, the…

UMD’s Scott Sandelin Named Finalist for Penrose Award

Sandelin is a finalist for the fourth straight year and sixth overall in his career.

TROY, Mich. – UMD’s Scott Sandelin is once again a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, which is given to the top coach in Division I men’s hockey. Sandelin is a finalist for the fourth straight year and sixth overall in his career. He won the award back in 2004 and was a runner-up in 2011. The Hibbing native has…

Noah Cates, Nick Swaney to Return for 2020-2021 UMD Men’s Hockey Season

Cates is a Philadelphia Flyers draft pick while Swaney was drafted by the Minnesota Wild.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the last 12 days, the UMD men’s hockey team lost their top defensive duo in Nick Wolff and Scott Perunovich as both signed deals in the pros. But not everyone is leaving as a pair of dynamic forwards will look to run it back next season. UMD Athletics have confirmed that Noah Cates and Nick Swaney…

Yellowjackets’ Kaleigh Martinson Earns All-American Honors

The senior captain becomes the 14th All-American in program history.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin-Superior forward Kaleigh Martinson has been named to the CCM/AHCA Women’s Division III West All-America First Team. The senior captain becomes the 14th All-American in program history. Martinson led the conference in goals with 26 and was second in points with 36. She was also tied for the lead in short-handed goals in all of Division III….

Former Hawk Connor Bich Transferring to St. Scholastica

Bich will be transferring after one year at Dakota Wesleyan University.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former Hermantown basketball standout Connor Bich announced on twitter Thursday night that he will be joining the St. Scholastica men’s basketball team. He’ll be transferring over from Dakota Wesleyan University. In his junior year, Bich helped the Hawks capture the Section 7AAA championship. He followed that with a senior campaign which saw him average nearly 22 points…

UMD’s Scott Perunovich Signs Pro Deal with St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues announced that they have agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Hibbing native.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – It has been quite the week for UMD’s Scott Perunovich. He took home three awards from the NCHC, including Player of the Year. And Friday, he’s made a decision regarding his future hockey career. The St. Louis Blues announced that they have agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Hibbing native. The 21-year-old was drafted…

UMD’s Scott Perunovich Earns NCHC Player of the Year Award

Perunovich became the ninth Bulldog to be named conference Player of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. – UMD junior defenseman Scott Perunovich has been nothing short of spectacular in his time with the Bulldogs. The two-time All-American is one of the best two-way players in the country and Thursday, he added another award to his mantle. Perunovich was named Player of the Year by the NCHC. It is the third major conference award…

UMD’s Richards Named NCHC Top Defensive Forward, Shepard Semi-Finalist for Richter Award

The assistant team captain is the first player to win the award twice, leading the conference with 307 face-off wins.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD’s Justin Richards won his second straight Defensive Forward Award from the NCHC Wednesday afternoon. The assistant team captain is the first player to win the award twice, leading the conference with 307 face-off wins. Richards was also the only player to score two short-handed goals in conference play and helped the Bulldogs’ penalty kill finish second…

Dreams of Playing Pro Continue for Saints’ Zach Edwards

Edwards went to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater two weeks ago for a Pro Day workout that featured scouts from the Green Bay Packers.

DULUTH, Minn. – Back in December, St. Scholastica quarterback Zach Edwards received an invite to the FCS Bowl in Florida and played well enough to earn MVP honors. Since then, the St. Paul native has continued to bolster his resume for a shot to play professional football. After training out in New Jersey with former teammate Aaron Olson, Edwards went…

UMD’s Brandon Myer Earns NABC All-American Honors

Myer led the Bulldogs to their best season in over 20 years while being named NSIC Player of the Year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – UMD’s Brandon Myer earned All-American status from the National Association of Basketball Coaches Tuesday afternoon. The Superior native is the eighth player in program history to earn the distinction and the first since Jason Schneeweis in 2003. Myer led the Bulldogs to their best season in over 20 years while being named NSIC Player of the…

UMD’s Perunovich, Shepard Earn Top Honors from NCHC

This is the second end-of-the-season award for Scott Perunovich.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team earned two awards from the NCHC as junior Scott Perunovich was named Offensive Defenseman of the Year and senior Hunter Shepard earned Goaltender of the Year honors for the second straight season. Perunovich became the first defenseman in league history to lead in scoring in conference games. The Hibbing native is…

UMD’s Brooke Olson Named WBCA All-American

The sophomore is just the fifth Bulldog in program history to earn All-American status since 1988.

ATLANTA, Ga. – Monday, UMD forward Brooke Olson was named an All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. The sophomore is just the fifth Bulldog in program history to earn All-American status since 1988. The distinction is given to ten players in all of Division II. Olson had a stellar second season with UMD, taking home NSIC Player of the…

Saints’ AD Franco Bari Talks Spring Sports Cancellation

St. Scholastica became the latest school to shut down their spring sports season, in accordance to a ruling from the UMAC.

DULUTH, Minn. – Earlier this week, St. Scholastica became the latest school to shut down their spring sports season, in accordance to a ruling from the UMAC. Athletic director Franco Bari talked about how he reacted when the NCAA cancelled all athletic activities. “As soon as I heard that announcement, my heart absolutely broke for our student-athletes, epecially our spring…

UWS Officially Cancels Spring Sports Season

The athletic department will now have five months to prepare for the fall sports season in hopes that it starts on time.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – This week, the University of Wisconsin-Superior had to make the tough decision and cancel their entire spring sports season. Athletic Director Nick Bursik spoke about making the announcement to the Yellowjackets community. “It’s been tough to navigate. We certainly know these decisions impact a lot of student-athletes and a lot of opportunities, some of which may never…

College Freshman Season Ends for Former Marshall Pitcher Ben Pedersen

Pedersen says he will look into regaining his year of eligibility thanks to a provision announced by the NCAA.

DULUTH, Minn. – Three weeks ago, Missouri freshman pitcher and Duluth native Ben Pedersen extended his scoreless innings streak to 5.1 with a clean three outs in relief. What the former Duluth Marshall star didn’t know was that would be his final inning of work for his freshman year due to the corona virus pandemic. “Our team was on a…