BURNSVILLE, Minn. —  The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees.  The induction ceremony will be held Tuesday, July 7 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South as part of the annual NSIC Summer Kickoff event.  A social will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 6:00 p.m.  Reserve your tickets for the banquet by visiting https://northernsun.org/HOFBanquet and filling out the online Hall of Fame Banquet Registration Form.  Registrations are due no later than July 1, as space is limited for this event.

The class of 2026 includes: Sheena Devine, Bemidji State University, Kayla Koenecke, Concordia University, St. Paul; Mike Thorson, University of Mary; Kevin Mulder, Minnesota State University Moorhead; Michelle (Bruns) Kirk, Southwest Minnesota State University; Heather Miller-Koch, St. Cloud State University, Troy Pribnow, Wayne State College; and Tom Sawyer, Winona State University.

Founded in 1986, the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC - the former men’s conference) Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor those who made significant contributions to the conference, to create favorable publicity and public relations for the league and to help preserve the history of the NIC, its member institutions, student-athletes, and other significant individuals affiliated with the league.  For the first two inductions (1986 and 1990) each selection hailed from the NIC.  In 1992, the Northern Sun Conference (NSC - the former women’s conference) and the NIC merged, creating the current Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  After annual inductions since 2000, the NSIC Hall of Fame will now boast over 238 members and three teams.

Each NSIC institution (who has been a league member for at least ten years) is asked to submit one candidate for consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame. Each of the candidates are derived from individuals who have been affiliated with the NSIC, NIC, NSC and their member institutions.

In order to be eligible for the NSIC Hall of Fame, candidates must have made their contributions in one of the following areas: 1) former student-athletes, 2) administrator/coach, 3) official/supervisor/coordinator, 4) contributor/supporter, or 5) team. The conference provides two plaques; one of which will go to the inductee and one to the institution represented.  A history of each inductee will be kept in the NSIC Office and each institution will prominently display the plaques of their respective NSIC Hall of Fame inductees.

2026 NSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Sheena Devine, Bemidji State University (2005-2008)

Sheena Devine was one of the most decorated student-athletes in Bemidji State University history, earning national recognition as one of the top field athletes in NCAA Division II. A three-time national champion and five-time All-American, Devine dominated the shot put during her career from 2005 to 2008.

Devine captured NCAA Division II national titles in both the indoor and outdoor shot put in 2007 and repeated as indoor national champion in 2008. Her throw of 52-2.5 remains the top mark in program history and was the third-best winning mark in championship history at the time. She continues to rank among the best in school history, holding seven of the top-10 outdoor shot put marks.

At the conference level, Devine was a seven-time All-NSIC performer and a three-time outdoor shot put champion (2006, 2007, 2008). She was named NSIC Indoor Athlete of the Year in 2008 and won conference titles in both the indoor shot put and weight throw that season.

Devine also excelled in the classroom, earning 2008 Division II Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, along with multiple All-Academic recognitions. She was inducted into the Bemidji State Athletics Hall of Fame and the USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Athlete Hall of Fame in 2025.

Devine currently works as the Director of Finance and Accounting at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A. She resides in Lindstrom, Minnesota with her two children, Avery and Dane.

Kayla Koenecke, Concordia University, St. Paul (2010-2013) 

Kayla Koenecke was a cornerstone of one of the most dominant dynasties in NCAA Division II history, helping lead Concordia University, St. Paul to four consecutive national championships from 2010 to 2013. A four-time All-American and four-time All-NSIC First Team selection, Koenecke played a key role in the Golden Bears’ unprecedented run of seven straight NCAA titles.

Koenecke helped Concordia post a remarkable 134-13 overall record during her career, including a 75-5 mark in conference play and a perfect 24-0 record in NCAA Tournament competition. She was a four-time NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team selection and earned AVCA All-America honors all four seasons, including three First Team selections.

One of the most efficient hitters in program history, Koenecke set school records for both career (.392) and single-season (.410) attack percentage at the time of her graduation. She finished her career ranked third in kills (1,663) and sixth in digs (1,424), becoming one of the few players in program history to surpass 1,400 in both categories.

Koenecke also excelled academically, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Second Team honors in 2013 along with multiple Academic All-District and NSIC All-Academic selections.

Following her collegiate career, Koenecke earned a master’s degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver and spent time coaching before beginning her professional career. She currently works as a Strategy Director for Luson Media and resides in Maple Grove, Minnesota with her dog, Murphy.

Mike Thorson, University of Mary (2006-2017)

Mike Thorson built one of the premier track and field programs in the NSIC, leading the University of Mary to sustained conference and national success during his tenure as head coach of both the men’s and women’s programs.

During his time in the NSIC from 2006 to 2017, Thorson guided the Marauders to 14 conference team championships and earned 14 NSIC Coach of the Year honors. His teams produced more than 130 NCAA Division II All-Americans and seven national champions, while also claiming 139 individual and relay conference titles. Under his leadership, University of Mary student-athletes earned 10 NSIC Athlete of the Year honors and more than 200 NSIC All-Academic selections.

Thorson’s impact extended beyond the NSIC, as he previously built nationally competitive programs at the NAIA level. Over his career, he coached 17 individual national champions and more than 160 NAIA All-Americans, earning NAIA National Coach of the Year honors three times. His teams consistently competed at the highest level, with multiple top-five national finishes.

Thorson began his career at the University of Mary in 1994 and helped elevate the program into a conference, regional and national contender. His teams were also active in campus and community service, reflecting his commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the track.

Mike is retired and he and his wife, Ann, reside in Bismarck, North Dakota. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Kevin Mulder, Minnesota State University Moorhead (1976-80) 

Kevin Mulder was one of the most prolific scorers in Northern Intercollegiate Conference history and remains one of the top players to compete for Minnesota State University Moorhead men’s basketball. A four-year letterwinner from 1976 to 1980, Mulder earned All-NIC First Team honors three times and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player as a senior.

Mulder capped his career as the Dragons’ all-time leading scorer with 1,797 points, a mark that still ranks among the program’s best. He also totaled 1,016 points in conference play, the third-most in NIC history at the time and was one of the first players in league history to surpass 1,000 career points. He averaged 20.3 points per game as a senior and finished his career with a .678 winning percentage, helping MSU Moorhead to two 20-win seasons and a berth in the NAIA National Tournament in 1980.

An NAIA honorable mention All-American, Mulder was also a three-time team Most Valuable Player and ranked second in program history with 728 made field goals at the time of his graduation. He excelled in the classroom as well, earning Academic All-American honors and receiving the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

Following his collegiate career, Mulder earned a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and went on to become a longtime business owner. He has remained a dedicated supporter of Dragon men’s basketball since graduation. He and his wife Michelle live in St. Cloud, Minnesota and have three children and eight grandchildren.
 

Michelle (Bruns) Kirk, Southwest Minnesota State University (2001-2005) 

Michelle (Bruns) Kirk was one of the most accomplished players in Southwest Minnesota State University women’s basketball history, combining elite performance on the court with standout success in the classroom during her career from 2001 to 2005.

A four-year letterwinner, Kirk earned first team All-NSIC honors three times and was named the NSIC Player of the Year in 2004-05. That same season, she led the conference in both scoring and assists while earning Daktronics North Central Region Co-Player of the Year honors and honorable mention All-America recognition from Daktronics and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Kirk finished her career among the program’s all-time leaders, ranking first in school history in 3-pointers (190) and assists (493), while placing third in scoring with 1,645 points. She also ranked among the top five in field goals and free throws made, helping lead the Mustangs to an NCAA Tournament appearance during her career.
In the classroom, Kirk earned CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team honors in 2005, becoming the first player in program history to receive Academic All-America distinction. She was also named 2004-05 Southwest Minnesota State University Female Athlete of the Year and SMSU Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Following her collegiate career, Kirk served as an assistant coach at Eastern Washington University and Adams State College, and later as a head women’s basketball coach at Grove City College. She then worked as a master resilience trainer and performance expert for the U.S. Army. Currently, Michelle works as a sport and performance psychology consultant, supporting athletes, coaches, and military leaders, and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Western States, where she mentors doctoral students. She is a proud military spouse, married to her husband, Dennis, a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army. Their four children (Annabelle, Trey, Noah, and Miles) keep them busy and active. Michelle and her family currently reside in Maryland.

Heather Miller-Koch, St. Cloud State University (2005-10) 

Heather Miller-Koch was one of the most accomplished student-athletes in St. Cloud State University history, earning national recognition as a multi-event standout in track and field while also contributing to the Huskies’ basketball program.

A 10-time NCAA Division II All-American and 14-time NSIC champion, Miller-Koch captured the 2010 NCAA Division II indoor pentathlon national title and was named the USTFCCCA National Indoor Field Athlete of the Year that same season. She earned multiple All-America honors across the triple jump, long jump, heptathlon and pentathlon, while also being a three-time NSIC Field Athlete of the Year and four-time conference high-point scorer.

Miller-Koch set the NCAA Division II pentathlon record in 2010 with 3,993 points and established seven NSIC records and eight school records during her career. She still holds four indoor program records, including the 60-meter hurdles, long jump, triple jump and 4x400-meter relay.

In addition to her success in track and field, Miller-Koch played three seasons on the St. Cloud State women’s basketball team and was a member of the Huskies’ 2006 NCAA Division II Final Four squad.

Academically, she earned Academic All-America honors and was the recipient of the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award.

Following her collegiate career, Miller-Koch competed on the international stage, representing the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in the heptathlon, where she placed 18th. She also recorded multiple top-10 finishes at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and represented Team USA at the Thorpe Cup three times. She later served as a track and field coach at Concordia University, St. Paul.

Miller-Koch currently resides in Mendota Heights, Minnesota with her husband, Ryan, and their three children, Carter, Taylor, and Millie. She works as a registered nurse in surgery for Summit Orthopedics.

Troy Pribnow, Wayne State College (2004-2008)

Troy Pribnow was one of the most dominant defensive players in Wayne State College football history, earning national recognition as an All-American and helping lead the Wildcats to one of the most successful seasons in program history.

A two-time First Team All-NSIC selection, Pribnow capped his career with a standout senior season in 2008, earning All-America honors from five different organizations, including First Team recognition from the American Football Coaches Association. He led the NSIC with 14 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, ranking among the national leaders in both sacks and tackles for loss.

Pribnow played a key role in turning around the Wayne State program, helping guide the Wildcats from a 3-8 record during his freshman season to a 9-3 mark as a senior. That season, Wayne State earned a share of the NSIC South Division title and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in program history. As a junior, he also helped lead the Wildcats to a postseason appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl.

He finished his career with 29 sacks, ranking fourth in school history, and remains one of the most disruptive defensive players to compete in the conference.
Following his playing career, Pribnow has worked in the agricultural industry and currently serves as a location manager for Midwest Farmers Cooperative in Nebraska.

Tom Sawyer, Winona State University (1996-2021)

Tom Sawyer built one of the most successful football programs in conference history, leading Winona State University to sustained excellence over 25 seasons as head coach.

Sawyer compiled a program-record 197 victories and guided the Warriors to 22 winning seasons, establishing Winona State as a perennial contender in the NSIC. A five-time NSIC Coach of the Year, he led the program to 11 conference championships and six NCAA Division II playoff appearances, along with four trips to the Mineral Water Bowl.

Under Sawyer’s leadership, Winona State developed numerous standout student-athletes, including seven Harlon Hill Award candidates, 10 Academic All-Americans and more than 50 All-Americans. His teams also produced nearly 400 All-NSIC selections, reflecting both the consistency and depth of the program during his tenure.

Sawyer’s impact extended beyond wins and championships, as he helped shape the culture of Winona State football through his commitment to player development and academic success. He remains actively involved in the Winona community and the university following his coaching career. He currently resides in Winona with his wife Connie and enjoys spending time with his children, Jessica Dietel (Mike) and Tommy Sawyer (Carly) and his grandchildren, Maxwell Dietel, Carson Dietel and Andie Sawyer.