MSU Moorhead
Ross Fortier graduated from Bemidji High School in 1956 after lettering in four different sports: baseball, basketball, football and tennis. He furthered his education, receiving his B.S. degree from North Dakota State University in 1960, M.S. from Moorhead State University in 1965 and his Doctorate of Education from the University of North Dakota in 1985. While an undergraduate at NDSU, he lettered in the same four sports as high school and was elected co-captain of the Bison football team in 1959. Fortier joined the coaching ranks at an early age, holding several positions at various institutions: head baseball, asst. basketball and football at NDSU (1961-62); head baseball and football and asst. basketball at Melrose High School (1962-64); asst. basketball and football at Moorhead State (1964-67); asst. football at NDSU (1967-70) helping the Bison to two national championships; and head football at Moorhead State (1970-92). During his 23-year career as Dragon head coach, he logged an impressive 152-80-4 run that included nine NIC titles and seven trips to postseason play. His Dragons were nationally-ranked from 1979 through 1991, including the number one spot on the final 1981 NAIA Division I poll. His 1982 club built the nation’s longest win streak of 20 games that evaporated with a 31-28 road loss to NCAA I-AA Illinois State. Thirteen of Fortier’s finished products signed professional football contracts and under Fortier the Dragons harvested 10 national statistical titles. His football foresight and legacy influenced many other events as well. In 1983, Fortier created the NSIC Metrodome Football Classic, which has been a showcase for NSIC football for nearly 20 seasons. In 1992-93, Fortier served as president of the NAIA Football Coaches Association. He also started the Snow Bowl - an NCAA Division II Football All-Star Game that was played in the Fargo Dome for the first seven years of its existence. The game is now called the Cactus Bowl and is played Kingsville, Tex. each year. For over twenty years, he was an associate professor of physical education, as well as men’s athletic director at Moorhead State (1973-93). During that time, Fortier was very active on NAIA and NCAA committees, including the chair of the NAIA District 13 for 10 years. He was a member of the NAIA Executive Committee. Upon his retirement from higher education in 1993, he was promoted to Brigadier General in the Minnesota Army National Guard and was assigned as Assistant Adjutant General for the State of Minnesota. In 1996, he retired from the military after 35 years of service with the rank of general. Including the NSIC, Fortier has now been selected into six Hall of Fames: NDSU Athletic; Moorhead State Athletic; NAIA Football Coaches; Minnesota High School Football Coaches and City of Bemidji. Three years ago, he started the Laker Open Golf Tournament to raise funds for the Detroit Lakes High School Athletic Department. The tournament has raised an average of $13,000 each year. Fortier has been married to his wife, Ann, for 42 years. Both reside in Detroit Lakes in the summer and Merritt Island, Fla. in the winter. They have three daughters and two grand daughters.