For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 31, 2018
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Gene and Jan Casey of Wayne State College and Randy Bowen of Bemidji State University will be honored with the NSIC’s Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award during the 19th annual NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday, July 10 at the Best Western Premier in Burnsville, Minnesota.

The Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the singular commitment of former NSIC coach and Athletic Administrator Noel Olson and his advancement of NSIC visibility, credibility, and excellence throughout the nation during his tenure in the league.  The award is intended to honor individuals who, as volunteers, have made significant contributions to the NSIC as a whole.  On a periodic basis, one or more individuals receive the award in appreciation of efforts to support the NSIC activities and/or athletic programs within any NSIC member institution(s) or the NSIC conference office. The award recipients are nominated by each of the NSIC’s 16 institutions and selected by the NSIC Hall of Fame Committee.

To attend the NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet go to www.NorthernSun.org/SummerKickoff and fill out the online form.  The price to attend the banquet (including meal) is $30.00 - please register by June 15 as space is limited.

2017-18 Noel Olson Award Recipients
Randy Bowen - Bemidji State University
A student and member of the Bemidji State football team from 1969-72, Randy Bowen has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for BSU since his graduation with a degree in education in 1973. Despite a successful and lengthy career in higher education at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, Bowen never strayed too far from his alma mater.

As a volunteer, he served eight years on the BSU Alumni Association Board of Directors, including six years as an officer. In two years as the board’s president, he represented the Alumni Association at numerous events throughout the state and region. After completing two terms of service on the Alumni Board, Bowen was asked to help lead the formation of the Alumni B-Club and was a founding member of the National Alumni Football Committee. While the two groups were different, Bowen led the charge to help communicate, engage and support BSU Athletics. As part of the B-Club executive committee, he helped begin the B-Club Challenge in 2015, which has since raised more than $100,000 for BSU Athletic scholarships.  Bowen has served as the B-Club’s president for two years and under his direction the organization began a successful partnership with the BSU’s Twin Cities Alumni Chapter to develop a metro-based golf tournament, which is now in its third year. In addition, he helps host the football reunion held each year during Homecoming.

A popular emcee of the B-Club Athletic Hall of Fame induction brunch and various Beaver Pride luncheons, Bowen readily offers to dedicate his time and expertise to assist his alma mater.

In 2014, Bowen was honored with Bemidji State’s Alumni Service Award.

In addition to his longtime commitment to BSU, Bowen has spent many years volunteering for athletic groups in his hometown of Hermantown, Minnesota. He has coached many youth sports teams, including a stint as a volunteer golf coach at Hermantown High School.

Gene and Jan Casey  - Wayne State College
Gene and Jan Casey are known for their work at the scoring table of Wayne State home basketball games for years. Both are avid basketball fans and well-known with NSIC basketball officials for their quality work.

Gene has ran the main scoreboard at Wildcat home basketball games 41 years. Jan ran the player/foul scoreboard for 15 years and now does official scorebook at Wildcat home games for the last eight years for a total of 23 years working WSC home basketball games. The two have worked such events as the NSIC Women’s Basketball Tournament in the 2005-06 season and the 2012 NCAA Central Regional Women’s Basketball Tournament that was hosted by Wayne State College.

For the last 24 years, Gene has worked in the maintenance department at Wayne State College after serving as an area sales representative for Moorman Feeds and will retire from the college June 30th. Jan retired in August 2015 from an office position at Great Dane Trailers in Wayne after working 29 years with the company. The two also operate Gene and Jan’s Lawn Service during the spring and summer months in Wayne.

When Gene is not working the clock at Wayne State home games, he can be found running the clock at Wayne High Blue Devil girls and boys basketball games and has worked numerous high school district playoff games hosted by Wayne State College over the years.

The two were inducted into Wayne State’s Athletic Hall of Fame as contributors in 2005.

Past Noel Olson Award Winners
2008-09    Roger Haug - U-Mary, Rocco Ierino - UMD and Dr. Harry Jasinski - NSU
2009-10    Dale Haagenson - UMD
2010-11    Paul and Barb Halstenson - Augustana and Ken Mukomela - SMSU
2011-12    Neal Kalberer - U-Mary
2012-13    Kevin and Karla Anundson  - SMSU
2013-14    David & Carol Drown - SMSU and Brice Wilkinson - WSU
2014-15    Dr. Keith Marek - BSU
2015-16   Marv Bachmeier - UMC