DICKINSON, N.D. – Dickinson State University Athletics is proud to announce the 2025 Blue Hawk Athletic Hall of Fame Class. This year's inductees include four individuals, two historic football teams, and two legendary coaches who made a lasting impact on Blue Hawk athletics. The group will be honored during Homecoming Week on October 5-11, 2025.
"We're thrilled to welcome another outstanding group into the Blue Hawk Hall of Fame," said athletic director Pete Stanton. "Their accomplishments, both on and off the field, reflect the excellence and tradition of Dickinson State Athletics. We look forward to celebrating their contributions this fall."
2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Sam Johnson – Football
Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Johnson was a versatile back who rushed for 3,272 yards—third all-time at DSU—while playing both fullback and tailback. He was part of three conference championship teams and played a key role in DSU's first-ever playoff win in 1989.
Ray Boyum – Football
A dominant force on the defensive line, Boyum set a school record with 15 sacks in 1999 and finished with 22.5 career sacks, along with being the career leader in tackles for loss at the time. He earned All-American honors twice and was a three-time All-Conference selection.
Ashley Bakich-Emmons – Women's Basketball/Track & Field
A two-sport standout from Colstrip, Montana, Bakich-Emmons was a three-year starter and All-Conference performer in women's basketball. She helped lead the Blue Hawks to a national tournament appearance in 2009 and also qualified for the NAIA national meet in track as an All-Conference performer.
Meghan Shaw – Softball
One of the most dominant pitchers in Blue Hawk softball history, Shaw compiled a career record of 64-11 with 58 complete games, 459 strikeouts, and a 2.15 ERA over 459.2 innings pitched. She earned NAIA All-American Honorable Mention honors in 2007 and was named the Dakota Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008. During her four years in the circle, Dickinson State posted a combined record of 156-31, including a remarkable 42-5 season in 2009. Shaw's consistency and command helped power the Blue Hawks through one of the most successful stretches in program history.
Arlan Hofland – Coach (Football/Track & Field)
Hofland served as DSU's defensive coordinator for 29 years, guiding the Blue Hawks to 15 conference championships and mentoring numerous All-Americans. He also led the men's track and field program (1987–2000) and chaired the HPER department. A Blue Hawk alum himself, Hofland played football from 1972 to 1975.
Pete Leno – Coach (Football/Track & Field)
A cornerstone of Blue Hawk Football, Leno coached the offensive line for over two decades and helped develop multiple All-Americans. He also coached women's track and field and played a major role in the creation of the Ben C. Frank Human Performance Center, enhancing training opportunities for DSU and area athletes.
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.
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.
The 2025 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during DSU's Homecoming Week on October 5-11. Additional event details will be released in the coming months.
