MSU President's Column
June 21, 2025
Traditions bring generations together for important causes
By the time many people read this column, the 51st annual Shrine Bowl games will have been played and the long-anticipated week of practices and activities leading up to the games will be in the books. For many reasons, we’re excited about having the opportunity to host this special annual event. Players and coaches checked in at Mayville State on Tuesday this week and had a very busy few days leading up to game day on June 21.
The Shrine Bowl consists of four teams, 9-nine man east and west teams and 11-man east and west teams. Fourteen of the young men on those teams this year are commits for Mayville State Football in the fall. We love that these and all the other great players, who are great representatives of North Dakota and Minnesota high schools, spend time on the Mayville State campus.
I tip my hat to the many people who have worked very hard to provide a great experience for all Shrine Bowl coaches, players, families, and fans. This includes many Mayville State personnel working together with our Shrine partners. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together and ultimately support the outstanding work of the Shriners
On June 14, I was able to participate in the annual MSU Classic Golf Scramble at Forest Hills Golf and RV Resort in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Organized by the Comet Athletic Club, proceeds of this annual fundraiser benefit the student athletes of Mayville State University. I applaud CAC board member Brian Halvorson, who led the charge, and all who made the day a big success in many ways.
The MSU Golf Classic began in 1976 as a medal play tournament which was an annual event for more than 40 years. Before the decision was made to end the medal play tournament, the “Classic” had the designation of being the oldest medal play university golf tournament in the world. We at Mayville State are truly grateful for all who have organized, worked, and helped to make the “Classic” happen each year, as well as all who have golfed and participated in the fun and festivities.
We owe a special debt of gratitude to Paul Maltrud, Denny Hopman, Del Hultgren, and Gene Gaffney, who brought the “Classic” to life and made it a very successful and highly anticipated event each year. Proceeds of the original event were used to fund a number of scholarships that benefited countless Mayville State students over the years. In fact, students continue to benefit from endowments that were established over time.
Not only did the brainchild of these Mayville State alumni serve the very important purpose of supporting Mayville State University, it became a tradition and destination for alumni and friends who looked forward to getting together and catching up in Detroit Lakes each year. For many years, a luncheon provided a time when non-golfers could gather and enjoy a nice meal and great company.
As time went along, the “Classic” became a two-day event with a golf scramble on Friday and the medal play tournament on Saturday. In recent years, most golfers have come to prefer playing scramble-style, rather than in medal play tournaments, and the decision was made to drop the medal play tournament, which has brought us to one golf event, a scramble.
Thirty-seven teams played in the tournament this year! That is a fantastic showing of people who came out to golf, have some fun, and support Mayville State. The winning team, at 19 under, was made up of Mayville State golfer Satchel Tickel, his brother Willy, and Jack and Carter Justesen. It was great to see the next generation of the Comet Family participate and have success!
I was very happy to see several generations of golfers. Some players graduated from Mayville State many years ago, while others are recent graduates, and many others fall somewhere in-between. That is a wonderful sign of positivity and shows that our newest Comets are stepping up and getting ready to take the baton as leaders who support Mayville State and pay it forward the benefits they received as Mayville State students. I would be remiss in not mentioning the many friends who did not attend Mayville State who came out to support the cause. We sincerely appreciate them.
The whole “Classic” experience was heartwarming. What could be better than being a part of a great event where people are happy to be together, happy to support the students of Mayville State, and happy to be among the many generations of treasured Mayville State family members? Things have changed and evolved, and the future for this important Mayville State tradition is extremely bright.