BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Rita Vandeputte of Southwest Minnesota State University 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 11 at the Best Western Plus Ramkota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Vandeputte is the sixth representative from SMSU to be recognized with this award, joining Ken Mukomela (2010-11),  Kevin & Karla Anundson (2012-13) and David & Carol Drown (2013-14).

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 athletic director 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.  The price to attend the banquet (including meal) is $36.00 (plus processing) - please register by July 1 as space is limited.
 
2022-23 Noel Olson Award Recipient
Rita Vandeputte - Southwest Minnesota State University
Rita Vandeputte has been involved with Southwest Minnesota State University for over 25 years assisting the athletics department in various roles during both college and high school events on campus.

Vandeputte has served as the official scorekeeper for SMSU volleyball since the mid-1990s and took over the official scorebook duties for SMSU women’s/men’s basketball in the early 2000s.

SMSU started hosting high school volleyball and basketball section playoff tournaments in the mid 1990s and Vandeputte has consistently served as scorekeeper for both volleyball and basketball during that time.

For both SMSU and high school events, Vandeputte has been incredibly reliable despite the constant changes that can occur with last-minute changes to schedules, etc. Vandeputte also works in the same role for Marshall High School and is always keeping us up-to-date on her schedule on when she can or can’t work.

The job as official scorekeeper for college volleyball and basketball is extremely important and Vandeputte takes her job very serious. She is very educated on the rules and goes above and beyond the normal duties as scorekeeper. NSIC game officials appreciate the work Rita does to help make their jobs easier knowing the scorers’ table is under control.

Rita and her husband, Mark, also volunteer their time at the high school football section championship games SMSU hosts each year. The high school section tournaments serve as a fundraiser for SMSU Athletics and both Rita and Mark volunteer at the ticket booth and ticket gate and also assist with crowd control.

The work Rita has done for SMSU ‘s game day operations has been tremendous and something SMSU Athletics doesn’t take for granted. Even though she does get a minimal stipend to work the home games, she definitely isn’t doing the job for the money.

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
2022-23    Rita Vandeputte - SMSU