BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Don Williams of the University of Mary will be honored with the NSIC’s Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award during the annual NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday, July 12 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Moorhead, Minnesota. Williams is the third representative from the University of Mary to be recognized with this award, joining Roger Haug (2008-09) and Neal Kalberer (2011-12).

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. 

Olson was the men’s basketball coach at St. Cloud State University and was name NIC Coach of the Year during the 1969-70 and 1975-76 seasons after leading the Huskies to NIC Championships. In 1976 he became the director of athletics at SCSU. Olson passed away in May of 2019 at the age of 87. 

On a periodic basis, one or more individuals receive the award in appreciation of efforts made 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/HOFBanquet and fill out the online form no later than July 1, as space is limited.

2021-22 Noel Olson Award Recipient
Don Williams - University of Mary
A long-time advocate of University of Mary athletics, Don Williams accepted the challenge of becoming the first chairperson of the Marauders Armada in August 2018. In this volunteer position, Williams works closely with Marauders athletics to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships.

Williams' ties to the Marauders are extensive. The retired Financial Services Manager with CNH Industrial Capital out of Racine, Wisconsin, served on the board of the Varsity Club and Marauder Boosters and has been a fan for many years, leading to longtime friendships with many of the coaches, student-athletes, administrators, past Prioress Miller and past President Sister Thomas Welder. Don and his wife Kay were previously named the Marauders “Fans of the Year” when UMary still competed in the NAIA. He was also president of former UMary Hall of Fame wrestling coach Milo Trusty’s MATPAC Wrestling club.

A native of Maddock, North Dakota, who attended Benson County Agricultural and Training School, Williams graduated from North Dakota State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics. Don and Kay have two adult children, Justin and Ashley. The decision by Justin to play football for the Marauders started the close relationship between Don and the University.

“Our son, Justin, played football for the Marauders from 1994-98. Since that time we have had a niece, nephew, or cousin involved with Marauder athletics,” said Williams. “The relationship we developed with the coaches, athletes, parents, and administration during the past years makes us proud to be Marauder fans.”

PAST NOEL OLSON AWARD WINNERS
2008-09 Roger Haug - UMary, Rocco Ierino - UMD & Dr. Harry Jasinski - NSU
2009-10 Dale Haagenson - UMD
2010-11 Paul and Barb Halstenson - AUGIE & Ken Mukomela - SMSU
2011-12 Neal Kalberer - UMary
2012-13 Kevin and Karla Anundson  - SMSU
2013-14 David and Carol Drown - SMSU & Brice Wilkinson - WSU
2014-15 Dr. Keith Marek - BSU
2015-16 Marv Bachmeier - UMC
2016-17 Lee Storbeck & Sue Wahl Storbeck - SCSU
2017-18  Randy Bowen - BSU & Gene and Jan Casey - WSC
2018-19 Pete Roberts - AUGIE & Dawn Schenk - SCSU
2019-20 Not Awarded
2020-21 Not Awarded
2021-22 Don Williams - UMary

About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a 16-team union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 25 team national championships and crowned 96 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.