This past Sunday, millions of people tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLIX. Some viewers likely watched the commercials more than the actual game, but they were all transfixed nonetheless. Football is the most popular sport in America, and many people mourn the end of the season as they would the loss of a friend. There is another sport, however, that has taken the city of Moorhead by storm, and that is basketball. While nothing will ever top the excitement of NDSU football’s four consecutive national championships, basketball has brought an excitement to the Valley that has rarely been felt before.
The game of basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith. Developed as a way to condition young athletes during the winter, the first basketball game feature peach baskets nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony and soccer-style balls. After each made shot, the game stopped so the janitor could climb a ladder to retrieve the ball. Eventually, the bottoms were removed. The first known game between two colleges was played on February 9, 1895 between Hamline University and Minnesota A&M (later the University of Minnesota). There were nine players per side. Minnesota A&M won by a rousing score of 9-3.
Since that first competition, scores of basketball games have been held all over the country, many with little fanfare or attention. Some teams feature kids as young as 2nd grade, while others are made up of adults who play simply for the love of the game. Somewhere in between is college basketball. Most high school players dream of playing college ball; few, however, get the chance. It is an ultra-competitive venture, which is why successful teams are so revered. Good teams can be found throughout the area; great teams, on the other hand, are far rarer.
The men’s basketball team at Minnesota State University Moorhead is quietly enjoying the best season in school history. Under the tutelage of 5th year Head Coach Chad Walthall, the Dragons have compiled a record of 24-1. The team’s only loss was a 58-60 heart breaker against the University of Minnesota Duluth on December 13. As of January 27th, the team is ranked #7 in Division II, the first national ranking for the school.
Walthall is known for his ability to rebuild struggling programs. After successfully guiding Iowa’s Loras College through a complete program turnaround, he served as assistant coach at the University of Iowa. A Minnesota native, Walthall jumped at the opportunity to coach at MSUM. “I really enjoy the challenge of rebuilding programs and establishing a culture of high expectations,” he said. “I really felt it had the potential to be a very good job because of the support, city, and the kind of institution MSUM is.” Walthall’s intuition was spot on. The level of success he has been able to achieve and maintain was apparent last weekend as the Dragons won their 100th game under his guidance.
Walthall graduated from Staples High School, where he was a three-sport standout. He later played quarterback at Concordia College, earning all-conference honors as both a junior and a senior. He also served as the student assistant basketball coach, where he began honing his coaching acumen. By the time he returned to Moorhead, his leadership skills and basketball IQ were without equal. Part of that intelligence was the belief that people had to push themselves to meet new and difficult goals. “I’ve always believed in embrace challenges and surrounding yourself with good people,” he said.
Walthall knows he has something special with this year’s team. “Number one is that we have a pretty selfless group that are all good teammates,” he explained. “They understand the importance of hard work and attention to detail.” That group is led by senior Jordan Riewer, A Staples, MN graduate who recently eclipsed the 1000 career point mark. Also making key contributions to team are three local players: Tanner Kretchman from Fargo Davies, Aaron Lien from Moorhead, and Evan Holt from Oak Grove. The presence of hometown heroes gives the team a familiarity that has increased its appeal to the local community.
An article about MSUM basketball would be incomplete without mention of the women’s coach, Karla Nelson. Now in her 15th season as head coach, Nelson achieved her 250th win on January 24th, an incredible milestone. The Dragons have enjoyed 14 straight winning seasons under Nelson, as well as 14 consecutive conference tournament qualifications. This year’s team is determined to make that number 15, and is currently 11-9 on the season.
Like Walthall, Nelson is a Minnesota native and accomplished athlete. After scoring 1,052 career points while attending high school is Erskine, she moved on to play basketball at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Nelson was a four-year letter winner and three-year captain for what was then the Fighting Sioux. After serving as assistant coach for the Dragons, she took over the team in 2000 and hasn’t looked back since.
Both Walthall and Nelson have brought an expectation of excellence to the MSUM basketball program. There hard work ethic, attention to detail, and never-say-die attitude has rubbed off on the players, making the Dragons fierce competitors and feared opponents. Anyone who has never taken in a MSUM basketball game would be wise to do so. “Come to a game,” Walthall encourages. “It is a great environment.”