BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Dave Bergstrom of Minnesota State University Moorhead 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 8 at the Courtyard by Mariott in Moorhead, Minnesota. Bergstrom is the first representative from MSUM to be recognized with this award.

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 Office. The award recipients are nominated by each of the NSIC’s 15 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 $45.00 (plus processing) - please register by July 1 as space is limited. 

2024-25 Noel Olson Award Recipient
Dave Bergstrom  - Minnesota State University Moorhead
Dave Bergstrom is all that is right and great about college athletics.  His journey started in 1975 as a student-athlete and a member of the Dragon Track Program under legendary Coach Ron Masanz. Four short years later Dave Bergstrom accumulated a degree in mathematics, six All-American trophies and an individual National Championship.

In 2005 Bergstrom became a volunteer high jumps coach with the Dragon Track & Field Program. Over 17 years he coached 38 National Qualifiers, 11 All Americans, 13 Academic All-Americans, 10 NSIC Champions, 35 NSIC All-Conference Performers, four school record breakers, four Dragon Student Athletes of the year and in 2019 The Dragons Men’s High Jump squad was tied for No. 1 in NCAA Division II. He also coached two-time Olympian and professional high jumper Trevor Barry (current Dragon Coach).

His volunteer work transcends Dragon Track and Field and the high jump. Coach Bergstrom has been and continues to be a beloved anchor in the track and field circles.  His positive and encouraging demeanor has made him many friends amongst both student-athletes and coaches across the region.  He willingly offers advice to the conference coaches when asked and is continuously offering encouraging words to a majority of NSIC jumpers.  

Dave’s passion for all things MSUM runs deep, and in addition to coaching he has stayed connected to both his teammates and student-athletes he has coached. In addition to hosting the annual “Jumpers Day at the Lake”, Dave has advocated for alumni to participate in annual golf outings, giving campaigns, and most recently played a leadership role in planning and organizing a major event that recognized his college coach, Ron Masanz. The event brought over 150 alumni back to campus for a meet and formal dinner, and helped grow the Winged Foot Club Endowment to over $500,000.   

An Albert Lea native, Bergstrom claimed a national high jump championship and earned six All-America certificates at MSUM. A four-year letterman at MSUM, Bergstrom was elected captain as a senior and honored as Most Valuable Fieldman. A 1993 inductee in the Dragon Hall of Fame, Bergstrom was enshrined in the NSIC Hall of Fame in 2006. He still holds the MSUM outdoor high jump record at 7’ 1.75”. 

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
2023-24    Mark Sybilrud - MSU
2024-25     Dave Bergstrom - MSUM