Hotline // September 16, 2026

VCSU Homecoming Week Runs Sept. 14-19

The 2026 Valley City State University Homecoming Week runs Sept. 14-19. Current students, alumni and community members are invited to partake in a full week of events.

Homecoming Week kicks off with the 43^rd annual Bill Osmon Fun Run on Monday, Sept. 14. The event is named in honor of legendary VCSU coach and athletic director Bill Osmon.

Homecoming Coronation will take place Tuesday night at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

Events on the weekend include a volleyball match, football game, socials at the Valley City Eagles Club and the annual Homecoming Parade down Central Avenue.

The Homecoming Parade is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

For a full schedule of event, visit www.vcsu.edu/homecoming

Homecoming Schedule – Partial List of Events

Monday, Sept. 14

4 p.m. – 43^rd Annual Bill Osmon Fun Run

Tuesday, Sept. 15

7 p.m. – Homecoming Coronation, CFA Performance Hall

Friday, Sept. 18

5 p.m. – Volleyball vs. Rocky Mountain College (Ticketed Event)

5 p.m. – Hall of Fame Social at Valley City Eagles Club

6 p.m. – Hall of Fame Banquet at Valley City Eagles Club (Ticketed Event)

7 p.m.  – All Greek Social at Valley City Eagles Club

Saturday, Sept. 19

8:30 a.m. – Alumni Honors Breakfast, VCSU Cafeteria (Ticketed Event)

10:30 a.m. – Homecoming Parade, Central Avenue

12 p.m. – Football Tailgating, Dacotah Bank Field at Lokken Stadium

2 p.m. – Viking Football vs. Eastern Oregon (Ticketed Event)

5 p.m. – Postgame and All Alumni Social, Valley City Eagles Club (21+)

9 p.m. – College Student and Alumni Dance, Valley City Eagles Club (21+)

Dave Bass Named NAIA Faculty Athletics Rep of the Year

Bass Receives National Honor for 2nd Time

Valley City State University’s Dave Bass has been named the 2025-26 NAIA Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year, the national office announced Tuesday as part of its 2026 National Awards Day.

Named in honor of former NAIA Vice President of Legislative Services Wally Schwartz, the award recognizes a Faculty Athletics Representative who demonstrates loyalty, enthusiasm and honesty while serving student-athletes and their institution.

Bass has served as VCSU’s Faculty Athletics Representative for more than 20 years. Throughout his tenure, he has advocated for student-athletes while helping ensure the integrity of the university’s academic and athletic programs. He approaches each decision with fairness, professionalism and a genuine commitment to what is best for both the student and the institution.

His leadership has also extended well beyond the VCSU campus. Bass served as the eligibility chair for three athletic conferences for more than 16 years and has provided leadership nationally through his service on the NAIA Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives and the Learning Disability Advisory Committee.

Tuesday’s honor adds to an extensive list of accomplishments for Bass. He was selected as the NSAA Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year five times and previously received the NAIA Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year Award in 2017. The 2026 recognition makes Bass a two-time recipient of the prestigious national award.

Bass was also named the 2025-26 Frontier Conference Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year in June.

Throughout his career, Bass has built meaningful relationships with generations of Vikings. His leadership, knowledge and commitment to student-athlete success have made a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues at VCSU and across the NAIA.

Bass will be formally recognized at the 2027 NAIA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, April 10, 2027.

View the complete list of 2026 NAIA National Awards Day winners.

VCSU Hosting ND Science Teacher Association Fall Conference

Valley City State University is hosting the return of the North Dakota Science Teacher Association (NDSTA) Fall Conference in October.

After a 7-year hiatus, the NDSTA is reorganized and hosting a one-day fall conference at VCSU on Saturday, Oct. 24. The conference is open to K-12 science teachers and preservice teachers. Attendees are invited to spend a day at VCSU engaging, learning and reigniting the NDSTA across the state. Conference registration is just $10, and attendees can also earn Cafeteria Credit to meet their continuing education requirements.

Whether they’re a veteran teacher or brand new to the classroom this fall, the NDSTA conference offers teachers a chance to re-establish the network of ND science teachers.

“Our goal in offering this conference almost free of charge is to make it easier for more teachers to attend with as few barriers to that as possible,” said Lindsey Kiecker, VCSU assistant professor in chemistry and science education. “NDSTA has been sadly dormant since the beginning of the pandemic, and we believe it is vital that this group begins again to strengthen the network of science teachers across ND, from K-12 through higher education. It is so important for our new science teachers to have a support network, make connections, and learn from others that teach the same subject. I welcome everyone to our campus with open arms and am thrilled to be able to support reigniting this effort.”

Sessions held will emphasize laboratory and hands-on activities, presented by science teachers and organizations from across the state. From elementary to high school, in the classroom or out, there is something for everyone. With plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues from around the state in various subject areas and all experience levels, attendees can expect to leave the conference with ideas to bring back to their classrooms.

“I am going into my 26th year of teaching and have been involved with NDSTA since I was a college student,” said Ryan Bleth, NDSTA treasurer and chemistry teacher at Legacy High School. “I went to my first conference in Grand Forks and was greeted by some veteran teachers at the time. From the very beginning I felt very welcomed and supported by NDSTA. We want younger folks to stick around, to learn what’s great about this job, and understand what’s kept a lot of us here for a long time. We invite veteran teachers to network and pass along knowledge that was passed along to them.”

Helpful Links

Register to Attend NDSTA – Email emily.schaefer@k12.nd.us for more info.

Register to Present at NDSTA – Email lindsey.kiecker@vcsu.edu for more info.

Register for Cafeteria Credits

McCulloch receives ‘Difference Maker’ award

Dennis McCulloch, director for athletics and head football coach, was presented with the “Difference Maker” award for September.

His nomination read, “Dennis McCulloch has made a lasting impact on VCSU Athletics through his leadership, commitment, and dedication to the people around him. His influence extends far beyond wins and losses, as he has helped shape student-athletes, coaches, and the culture of Viking Athletics through the example he sets every day. Dennis represents what it means to be a true Difference Maker—someone whose presence has made VCSU Athletics stronger and better because he was part of it.”

Congratulations, Dennis!

Viking Sports Update

FOOTBALL
The Viking Varsity football team had a bye week last week, but the Junior Varsity team hit the field and played Central Lakes College out of Brainerd, Minn. Behind a strong running game, the Vikings beat the Raiders 34-6. Read more. It’s homecoming week, and the football team will take on Eastern Oregon at Dacotah Bank Field/Lokken Stadium on Saturday. Tailgating starts at noon, kickoff is at 2 p.m. VCSU is 1-1 on the season.

VOLLEYBALL
The VCSU volleyball team hit the road for its first Montana trip of the season. The Vikings were at Montana State-Northern and the University of Providence last weekend and dropped a pair of hard fought three-set matches. The Vikings will be celebrating homecoming weekend with a match versus Rocky Mountain College on Friday night at Graichen Gym. First serve is set for 5 p.m.

GOLF
The Viking golf team had their first tournament of the fall season as they traveled to Dickinson for the Blue Hawk Fall Invite. It was a great start to the season for the Viking golfers. Medalist honors on the women’s side and a runner-up on the men’s side. Read more here. The Men and Women will be in Fergus Falls, Minn. on Thursday and Friday for the Spartan Invite, hosted by Minnesota State Technical College at Pebble Lake Golf Course.

HALL OF FAME
With homecoming this weekend, that means another class of Vikings will be inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame. This year, four individuals and one team will go into the Vikings Hall of Fame. Along with them, one coach will be inducted into the Vikings’ Coaches Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are Greg Stemen, Dr. Alan Olson, Andrew Warcken, Brandon Bata, Sekani Milligen, and the 2012-2013 Men’s basketball team. Read about this year’s class at vcsuvikings.com.

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

September 16
7 p.m. Homecoming Week Planetarium Show, Rhoades 309

September 18
1:30 p.m. Alumni Welcome Back Ice Cream Social, Student Center
3 p.m. Campus Tours, Student Center
5 p.m. Hall of Fame Social, Valley City Eagles
6 p.m. Hall of Fame Banquet & Ceremony, Valley City Eagles
7 p.m. All Greek Social, Valley City Eagles

September 19
8:30 a.m. Alumni Honors Breakfast, Student Center Cafeteria
8 a.m. – noon VCSU Bookstore Open, Student Center
10:30 a.m. Homecoming Parade, Central Avenue
noon – 2 p.m. Viking Tailgating, Lokken Stadium
2 p.m. Viking Football vs. Eastern Oregon University, Dacotah Bank Field
5 p.m. Postgame and All-Alumni Social, Valley City Eagles Club
9 p.m. College Student and Alumni Dance, Valley City Eagles Club

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/