DICKINSON, N.D. – Earlier this year, Dickinson State Athletics announced their 2025 Blue Hawk Hall of Fame class. The class consists of four individual athletes, two coaches, and two teams. The inductees will be honored Homecoming Weekend on Friday, October 10 at the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet. If you plan to attend please use the RSVP link below.
DSU Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet
When: Friday, October 10th 2025
Where: Roosevelt Grand Dakota
532 15th St W
Dickinson ND 58601
Time: Doors open at 10:30AM I Program will begin at 11AM
Meal Tickets: $35 (5 & Under: Free)
To RSVP visit: EVENT INFORMATION | DSU Heritage Fnd
2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Ray Boyum - Football
A native of Nashua, Montana, Ray Boyum was a dominant defensive lineman for the Blue Hawks. He set a school record with 15 sacks in 1999 and finished with 22.5 career sacks, along with being the program's career leader in tackles for loss at the time. His impact on the field earned him two All-American honors and three All-Conference selections, cementing his place as one of the most feared defenders in DSU history.
Boyum graduated from Dickinson State in 2001 and went on to a successful career in business and finance. He began with Citigroup, rising to Senior Vice President in 2009 and overseeing operations across the eastern U.S. and Puerto Rico. Since 2018, he has worked as a financial advisor, now co-owning three business locations and managing approximately $300 million in client assets. He and his wife, Lindsay, reside in North Liberty, Iowa, with their three sons—Liam, Luca, and Lennox. Active in his community, Boyum enjoys coaching his children in multiple sports and serves on the coaching staff of the local 5A high school.
Ashley Emmons - Women's Basketball & Track and Field
A two-sport standout at Dickinson State University, Ashley Emmons left her mark in both basketball and track & field. On the hardwood, she was a defensive force and team leader, earning DAC Senior of the Year (Women's Basketball), DAC Defensive Player of the Year, DAC All-Conference Second Team, and NAIA Champion of Character honors. A highlight of her career came during the 2008–09 season when the Blue Hawks captured the DAC regular season title, won the DAC tournament championship, and advanced to the Elite Eight at the NAIA National Tournament.
Ashley was also honored with the prestigious Loriane C. Schumacher Female Athlete of the Year Award, recognizing her as the top female student-athlete at DSU across all sports. On the track, she helped lead DSU to a runner-up conference finish her senior year, further proving her versatility and determination as an athlete. Ashley was a three-time NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete in basketball (2007–08, 2008–09) and track (2008–09), a national-level honor celebrating both academic and athletic excellence.
She graduated with a double major in Elementary Education and Exercise Science and was chosen for DSU's Outstanding Senior Achievement Award—the highest academic honor bestowed upon one female and one male student in the graduating class. Today, Ashley uses both of her degrees as a 5th grade teacher and high school cross-country coach in Broadus, Montana, continuing to mentor and inspire young people with the same values of toughness, teamwork, and character that defined her career at DSU.
Sam Johnson - Football
Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Sam Johnson was a versatile back for the Blue Hawks, rushing for 3,272 yards—third all-time at DSU—while excelling at both fullback and tailback. He helped lead Dickinson State to three conference championships and played a pivotal role in the program's first-ever playoff victory in 1989, winning two playoff games during his career.
After graduating, Johnson dedicated his life to education and athletics, serving as a teacher for 32 years, including 28 at St. Albert Catholic High School in Alberta. He coached multiple sports, most notably spending 25 years with the SACHS Skyhawks football program. Beyond the classroom and playing field, Johnson and his wife, Dina, have been married for 30 years and have two children, Jessica (Wyatt) Shaw and Daniel (Sarah) Johnson. This December, Johnson will retire from teaching, reflecting on a career filled with far more highs than lows.
Mehgan Shaw - Softball
Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Mehgan Shaw attended Dickinson State University from 2005–2010, where she left an indelible mark on the Blue Hawk softball program. A standout pitcher, Shaw helped lead DSU to four consecutive Dakota Athletic Conference championships (2006–09), three Region III titles (2007–09), and three straight NAIA National Tournament appearances, including the program's first-ever trip in 2007. That historic run featured back-to-back "Elite Eight" finishes (2007, 2008) and a third-place finish in 2009.
Individually, Shaw earned numerous honors: two-time DAC Pitcher of the Year (2006, 2007), two-time Region III Pitcher of the Year (2006, 2007), three-time DAC All-Conference and All-Region performer, NAIA All-American in 2007, and NFCA First Team All-Region in 2007. She was also nominated for DSU's Most Outstanding Graduate Award in 2010, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with teacher certification, alongside minors in Arts Education and Coaching.
Shaw has already been honored multiple times as part of DSU's Hall of Fame teams, with inductions in 2021 (2006 & 2007 teams) and 2022 (2008 & 2009 teams). Today, she lives in Regina with her husband and two children, works for the City of Regina at the Regina Police Service, and remains active in the sport by coaching in her community and mentoring young athletes.
Arlan Hofland - Coaching
A Blue Hawk through and through, Arlan Hofland dedicated nearly three decades to Dickinson State University as one of the most respected defensive coordinators in NAIA football. Serving in the role for 29 years, Hofland guided the Blue Hawks to 15 conference championships and mentored dozens of All-Americans. His defenses were consistently among the best in the country, with highlights including the 1987 squad that ranked No. 1 nationally in both total defense and scoring defense. From 1988 on, his units were among the stingiest in the nation, allowing just 77.8 passing yards per game over a 17-year stretch.
A standout in his own right, Hofland was an all-conference and all-district defensive lineman for Dickinson State from 1972–75 before graduating in 1977 with a degree in secondary education. He later earned a master's degree in education from the University of North Dakota. In addition to his football duties, Hofland served as DSU's men's track and field coach from 1987–2000 and chaired the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department.
Before returning to Dickinson, he was the defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Hofland and his wife, Gayle, raised two daughters, Erica and Christa, both of whom continued the family's connection to higher education in North Dakota.
Pete Leno - Coaching
For more than two decades, Pete Leno was a cornerstone of Blue Hawk Football, serving as Dickinson State's offensive line coach and helping develop one of the program's most consistent strengths. Under his leadership, the Hawks' offensive front produced 15 NAIA All-Americans during his tenure and consistently ranked among the top rushing offenses in the nation.
Beyond football, Leno made significant contributions to Blue Hawk athletics as a coach for women's track and field and as a driving force behind the creation of the Ben C. Frank Human Performance Center. His work in health and physical education greatly enhanced training opportunities for DSU student-athletes and the surrounding community.
A native of Kennedy, Minnesota, Leno was an All-Conference football player at Valley City State University, where he graduated in 1984 with a degree in business administration and physical education. He later earned a master's degree in education administration from North Dakota State University while working as a graduate assistant on the Bison staff, including during NDSU's 1990 national championship season under Rocky Hager.
Pete and his wife, Deb, have two sons, Lucas and Seth.
2005 Football Team
The 2005 Blue Hawks made program history by securing a fourth straight Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) championship—the first football team in school history to achieve that feat. After overcoming a tough midseason stretch, DSU closed the season with five straight wins to finish 7-4 overall and earned a berth in the NAIA playoffs. The defense led the way with four shutout victories and helped solidify this team as one of the top defensive units of the era.
Players:
Larry Aldridge, John Antencia, Brad Barlow, Derek Beadle, Blaine Berg, Bruce Bevers, Robert Borr, Sean Brass, Ryan Brass, Michael Braxton, Jon Breitbach, Jason Brock, Kyle Bushman, Jeff Chapman, Casey Clausen, Kardin Coleman, Doug Copeland, Marcus Old Coyote, Mike Criswell, Kevin Davis, Kevin Dow, James Emch, Josh Epperly, Rafe Espinoza, Matt Eustive, Mike Feist, Tyson Fenner, Brenner Flaten, J.R. Foreman, Josh Garcia, Nolan Garriock, Carl Gauthier, Andy Gendreau, Joe Gentilini, Matt Gittings, Tyler Greff, Jeff Grewe, Clint Grosz, Trevor Grueb, Jamal Guy, Josh Halvorson, Cheyene Harmon, John Hazen, Blasé Hendrickson, Tony Hipp, Sam Honeyman, Tim Horab, Mitch Hughes, Punk Humphrey, Eric Icopini, Aaron Johansen, Tristan Jones, Mike Keyser, Kylan Klauzer, Karter Kleeman, Trent Kleinjan, Rusty Knuths, David Korrel, Joel Krassmen, Nick Landon, Tyler LeClaire, Philip Leck, Michael Levy, Ross Loeffler, Eric Lothspeich, Tyler Malkuch, Kasey Marincic, Steadman Mathis, Kameron McBride, Jhevon McMillan, Ryley McPeters, Kevin Mcelvaney, Mark Miller, D.J. Mitzel, Travis Nellermoe, Michael Nodine, Shawn O'Briaen, Jordan O'Donnell, Kyle Pennington, Kevin Picollo, Brian Qualley, Dustin Roberts, Jake Schmitz, Cherone Schneider, Lico Sifuentes, John Soriano, Terrance Soriano, Mike Spargo, Brandon Sturn, Clayton Thorson, Dustin Treptow, John Tuchscherer, Brian Tucker, Jared Tuma, Ryan Viara, Martin Waggoner, Ross Walker, Andrew Walsh, Mike Williams, Damen Woolser, Shane Zeidler
Coaches/Staff:
Head Coach Hank Biesiot, Defensive Coordinator Arlan Hofland, Assistant Coach Duane Monlux, Assistant Coach Pete Stanton, Assistant Coach Pete Leno, Assistant Coach Frank Renner, Student Assistant Eric Kenitzer, Student Assistant Brandon McElwain, Student Assistant Jonas Steckler
2010 Football Team
The 2010 squad continued the tradition of excellence with a third consecutive DAC title following championships in 2008 and 2009. The Blue Hawks opened strong with key non-conference wins and overcame a regular-season loss to rival Black Hills State to dominate the Yellow Jackets in a 21-0 shutout at the Fargodome in the DAC Championship Game. The team finished 10-2 overall and returned to the NAIA playoffs.
Players:
Shawn Alder, Brandon Angell, Collin Baumgart, Calen Beaudoin, Cord Berg, Tucker Brackenbury, Justin Braun, Bo Brooks, Hazer Burghduff, Aaron Cook, Jon Dinius, Carl Dynneson, Kyle Enebo, Stephen Engebretson, Tury Escobedo, Justin Espinoza, Mike Fisher, Cade Flaten, Seth Forster, Jess Fuhrman, Tim Giannotti, Dalmin Gibson, Tyler Grosz, Jay Grosz, Jerel Hafner, Heath Hafner, Mark Hanson, Matt Harkless, Brennan Haughian, Sam Herauf, Jeremy Herr, Colton Hill, Jerome Hoffman, Dakota Holland, Cody Holland, Lee Holliday, Cameron Hughes, Francis Hunkin, Cj Hunt, Lee Irivine, Justin Jensen, Alex King, Jason Kraft, Ridgeley Kraft, Ethan Ladbury, Tyler Lalim, Tanner Leak, Luke Leno, Lucas Lupo, Tony Maus, Zach McCoy, Kevin McDowell, Jordan Moran, Nicholas Nicastro, Wade O'Bryan, Ry O'Connor, Derek Opperud, Brock Overbo, Derek Pauley, Ryan Payne, Shane Pearson, Matt Perdue, Luke Rice, Tyler Roemmich, Matt Ruland, Alvin Running, Spencer Running, Lucas Runyan, Sean Rusell, Jermey Samuelson, Tyler Schidkunz, Nolan Schwartz, Matt Seibert, Joe Shirley, Tyrel Shumway, Jamie Sigl, Jordan Simons, Jimmy Smith, Bajin Smith, Don Smoth, Steven Spitulski, Doug Staley, Luke Steiner, David Stewart, Jake Stewart, Presely Straub, Bodie Tobin, Andrew Trejo, Levi Vanuga, Dave Velasquez, Jamie Walker, Jackson Wandler, Kyle Watson, John Wegner, Brock Wigert, Derion Williams, Rashad Williams, Trevor Willis, Rand Woelber, Nick Yelton, Nate Zachmann, Cole Zamira
Coaches/Staff:
Head Coach Hank Biesiot, Defensive Coordinator Arlan Hofland, Assistant Coach Duane Monlux, Assistant Coach Aric Mines, Assistant Coach Pete Stanton, Assistant Coach Pete Leno, Student Coach Kyle Smith, Student Coach Deaven Washington
