Hotline // July 15, 2026
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
VCSU Announces 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Class
Five Individuals and One Team Being Inducted
Valley City State University will honor five individuals and one team with induction into the VCSU Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming weekend this fall. The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held Friday, September 18, 2026, as part of VCSU Homecoming festivities.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class includes former student-athletes, coaches, and teams whose accomplishments helped shape the proud tradition of Viking Athletics. Inductees into the VCSU Athletic Hall of Fame include Al Olson ’84, Andrew Warcken ’99, Brandon Bata ’07, Sekani Milligen ’13, and the 2012–13 VCSU Men’s Basketball Team. Greg Stemen ’88 will also be inducted into the Osmon Icon Coaches Hall of Fame in recognition of his coaching accomplishments following graduation from Valley City State University.
“This Hall of Fame class represents excellence, leadership, and lasting impact across multiple generations of Viking Athletics,” said Cory Anderson, Chair of the VCSU Hall of Fame Committee. “Each inductee helped shape the tradition and culture of VCSU Athletics through their competitive success, leadership, and commitment to their teammates and programs. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments during Homecoming weekend.”
Al Olson ’84 – Coach/Athlete
Al Olson’s impact on Valley City State athletics spans multiple sports and roles, leaving a lasting legacy as both a student-athlete and coach. As a student-athlete from 1980–84, Olson was a member of five conference championship teams and earned All-Conference honors in baseball in 1983 and 1984. He finished his baseball career with a .293 batting average and an outstanding .981 fielding percentage. He was also recognized as the 1983 Team Hardest Worker. As a coach from 1990–2001, Olson led the VCSU women’s basketball program to sustained success, compiling a 73–56 overall record. His teams captured the 1990–91 conference championship and the 1991–92 co-conference championship, while his 1993–94 squad reached a national ranking of No. 23. Olson won more than 100 games during his VCSU coaching career. Across every role, Olson demonstrated a commitment to excellence, consistency, and program-building that has had a lasting impact on Viking Athletics.
Andrew Warcken ’99 – Football
Andrew Warcken established himself as one of the most impactful defensive players in VCSU football history during his career from 1989–1992. A 1990 Honorable Mention All-American and two-time All-Conference selection, Warcken earned a reputation as a true playmaker in the Viking secondary. He finished his career with 14 interceptions, tied for fourth all-time in program history, and delivered one of the top defensive seasons in school history in 1990. That season, Warcken tied the VCSU single-season record with eight interceptions while earning All-American honors. He also tied a program record with three interceptions in a single game. In addition to his defensive contributions, Warcken made an impact on special teams, totaling 171 career punt return yards and averaging 10.06 yards per return. Warcken’s ability to create takeaways and shift field position solidified his place among the top defensive players in VCSU football history.
Brandon Bata ’07 – Men’s Basketball
Brandon Bata was one of the most efficient and productive players in VCSU men’s basketball history during his career from 2002–2006. Bata scored 1,246 career points, ranking 11th all-time in program history, while also collecting 646 rebounds, placing eighth all-time among Viking players. Known for his consistency and efficiency, Bata finished his career with a .621 field goal percentage — the second-highest mark in school history. His 65.5 percent shooting performance during the 2003–04 season remains a VCSU program record. Bata’s all-around play earned him All-Conference recognition and DAC Most Valuable Senior honors, solidifying his place among the top performers of his era in Viking basketball history.
Sekani Milligen ’13 – Men’s Basketball
Sekani Milligen established himself as one of the most dynamic scorers in recent VCSU men’s basketball history during his two-year career from 2011–2013. A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, Milligen earned Second Team All-American honors in 2011 and Honorable Mention All-American recognition in 2012. Milligen played a key role in leading the Vikings to a 43–17 record over his two seasons, highlighted by a berth in the 2013 NAIA National Tournament. He scored 1,060 points in just two seasons, ranking fifth all-time in program history while averaging 18.6 points per game.
Known for his perimeter shooting ability, Milligen made 189 career three-pointers, including 104 during the 2012–13 season — the second-highest single-season total in VCSU history. His scoring ability, leadership, and impact on one of the most successful stretches in the program’s modern era solidified his place among the top players in Viking basketball history.
2012–13 Men’s Basketball Team
The 2012–13 Valley City State University men’s basketball team delivered one of the most significant seasons in program history. The Vikings finished with a 23–7 overall record, including a dominant 12–1 mark at home, and placed second in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) regular season standings. Most notably, the team earned a berth in the NAIA National Tournament — the program’s first national tournament appearance since 1987 — ending a 26-year drought. In the opening round of the tournament, VCSU narrowly fell to Indiana University Southeast in a hard-fought 75–72 contest. Led by head coach Jeff Kaminsky, the 2012–13 squad combined high-level performance with historic achievement, marking a turning point for the program and helping establish a new standard for success in Viking basketball. Team members included Christopher Embden, AJ McDonald, Patrick Rogers, Aaron Duske, Dillan Ostrom, John Raquel, Sekani Milligen, Ty Pratt, Gus Kueber, Anthony Saavedra, Harrison Weber, and Malcolm McDonald. The team was supported by athletic trainer Alyssa Sorensen, assistant coaches Matt Karlgaard, Nathan Stover, and Karl Sorby, and head coach Jeff Kaminsky. Karen Hall also served as the team’s national tournament host.
Greg Stemen ’88 – Osmon Icon Coaches Hall of Fame
Greg Stemen’s coaching career reflects a sustained record of success, leadership, and versatility across multiple programs and competitive levels. As head men’s basketball coach at Southwest Minnesota State University from 2001–2009, Stemen compiled a 141–97 record, ranking among the winningest coaches in program history. His tenure included a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) championship, NSIC Coach of the Year honors in 2008–09, and a postseason run that culminated in an NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance. Prior to SMSU, Stemen served as head coach at North Dakota State College of Science, where he posted a 69–40 record over four seasons. His teams captured two NJCAA Region 13 championships, and he earned Region 13 Coach of the Year honors twice. In addition to his basketball success, Stemen demonstrated exceptional versatility as head coach of the SMSU women’s golf program, guiding the Mustangs to four consecutive NSIC championships and three NCAA regional appearances while earning multiple Coach of the Year honors.
Across every stop in his career, Stemen built winning programs, developed student-athletes, and left a lasting impact on the institutions and athletes he served.
Additional details regarding the Hall of Fame ceremony and Homecoming weekend events will be announced at a later date.
For more information, contact the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office at (701) 845-7203.
Brittany Bell Named VCSU Vice President for Student Affairs
Brittany Bell, Ed.D., has been hired as Valley City State University’s next Vice President for Student Affairs, the university announced today.
Interim President Dr. Allen Burgad said Bell begins her duties on or around August 17. Bell will succeed Erin Klingenberg, who has served as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs since April.
“Dr. Bell brings a strong background in both student life and academics, developed through nearly two decades of experience in higher education,” said Dr. Burgad. “She is a proven student-centered leader who has served at institutions similar in size to VCSU, giving her a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges that define campuses like ours. We are excited to welcome Brittany and her family to the VCSU community.
“We also extend our sincere thanks to Erin Klingenberg for her leadership as our Interim Vice President. Erin cares deeply about VCSU and our students, and we are extremely grateful for her work during this transition.”
Bell currently serves as Dean of Students at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she leads a comprehensive student life portfolio including student engagement, residential education and housing, first and second year experience, and community engagement. She has worked at Lawrence University since 2019 and prior to that worked at St. Norbert College (De Pere, Wisconsin) from 2012 to 2019.
“I am honored to join the VCSU community as Vice President for Student Affairs and excited to work alongside students, faculty, and staff,” said Bell. “Throughout my career, I have been passionate about creating opportunities for students to grow and thrive, and I look forward to partnering across campus to cultivate an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to reach their goals.”
Bell holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Higher Education) from Edgewood University. She also earned a Master of Science in Education, Counseling-Student Affairs from University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
About Valley City State University
Valley City State University, a member of the North Dakota University System, is a student-focused institution committed to academic excellence and innovation. Founded in 1890 and located in Valley City, North Dakota, VCSU offers more than 65 undergraduate programs and graduate degrees. Known for its nationally recognized teacher education program and small class sizes, VCSU prepares students for success through hands-on experiences and strong faculty support. Learn more at www.vcsu.edu.
World War II Heritage Trail Includes VCSU Location
Photo: A new World War II Heritage Trail interpretive panel has been installed at the VCSU campus. It is located near a previous commemorative panel and ship’s anchor that designate VCSU’s roll in the Navy V-12 Program during World War II.
Barnes County Museum Hosting “Grand Opening” for Heritage Trail
The community of Valley City was designated by the National Park Service as an American World War II Heritage City in 2025, and a new World War II Heritage Trail throughout the city includes a stop at Valley City State University.
The American World War II Heritage Cities program recognizes the historic importance of the United States’ involvement in World War II. Led by efforts from the Barnes County Historical Society, Valley City is the only community in North Dakota to receive the designation and is the smallest community in the country to receive it.
Interpretive panels have been installed at noteworthy locations throughout the city – including one on the front lawn of Valley City State University – sharing how the community supported the war effort. The interpretive panel at VCSU details the college’s roll in the U.S. Navy’s V-12 program, which trained Navy officers. More than 500 Navy officers trained at the college during World War II. The panel also shares how Valley City State participated in several efforts to train women for various roles related to the war.
The Barnes County Museum is hosting a “Grand Opening” for Valley City’s World War II Heritage Trail on Thursday, July 9, at 2:30 p.m. at the museum. The Heritage Trail includes interpretive panels and a Talking Trail throughout Valley City, and a new display at the Barnes County Museum – located at 315 Central Avenue North.
The Valley City Talking Trail includes oral histories at the World War II locations in Valley City along with engaging audio experiences at several other noteworthy Valley City locations – including the historic VCSU Footbridge and Medicine Wheel Park. Joe Stickler, professor emeritus at VCSU, is the featured speaker for the Medicine Wheel Park oral history.
Learn More about Valley City’s World War II Heritage City Designation
Yorek receives ‘Difference Maker’ award
Dustin Yorek, assistant football coach, received the “Difference Maker” award for July. He was nominated by Student Affairs and Housing.
Yorek’s nomination read, “Over the past several years, Dustin has significantly strengthened collaboration between the football program and Residence Life by improving communication, organization, and follow-through related to youth football camps. His attention to detail and proactive planning help camps run smoothly while providing clear direction to camp counselors, resulting in fewer facility damages and a better experience for participants and staff alike. We appreciate how all of these things add up to the feeling of not only caring about the athletic and football experience, but also the experience of our residence life, building services, and facilities staffs.”
Viking Sports Update
Hall of Fame
The Viking Hall of Fame Class of 2026 has been announced, and this year’s class features five individuals and one team. Read more about the Class of ’26 at vcsuvikings.com.
Athletic Training
The Valley City State Athletic Training staff added a new member to the team. VCSU welcomes former Viking athlete Lily Baldwin back to campus. Read more about Lily at vcsuvikings.com.
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/
Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/