Greetings, Comet Nation,
At the beginning of February, when I wrote my last quarterly email, I would have never imagined what was about to transpire throughout Comet Athletics, our community, country, and world. It was a shock at first, and I am disappointed still, particularly for the coaches and players of three of our programs. As we battle this global pandemic at so many different levels, I think about Mayville State and this great community. In these challenging times, we need each other more than ever and this community never disappoints. Creative meetings through Zoom, conference calls, and utilizing social media to the fullest, our community will only grow stronger through these challenges.
As I wrap up year two as your athletic director at Mayville State, three simple words mean so much. In my eyes, “The Mayville Way” is what makes this university and community special. We continue to dust off the knees and get back up even stronger.
Our coaches have gotten very creative with recruiting and keeping up with their teams. They haven’t missed a beat on the short-term and long-term goals for their programs. Since my last newsletter, we have seen Coach Hutter’s and Coach Tighe’s basketball programs dominate once again!
Coach Hutter’s ladies won both the regular season and tournament titles to book their ticket to nationals. They were led by NAIA All-American Kylee Heurung. Kylee was named the North Star conference regular season and tournament player of the year. She was joined for the special run by a plethora of excellence including fellow first-team conference selection Claire Blascziek and honorable mention selection Nicole Bunting. It was another stellar season for Coach Hutter and his team. It was a great way to send out a special group of seniors with both regular season and tournament titles.
Coach Tighe and his men continued to show that they shine the most under the bright lights as the Comets men’s basketball team garnered their third North Star tournament conference championship in as many years. This is such an impressive feat in a highly competitive league, and it shows the chemistry and work ethic the men’s program instills from day one. While it is disappointing that COVID-19 hit right before the Comets were about to take the floor at the national tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., it does not discount the special season these men had. Led by senior NAIA All-American Max Cooper, they definitely left it all out on the court.
This basketball season for both programs was one for the ages. I asked some very credible sources, including Dr. and Mrs. Lyng, and we are not sure when, if ever, BOTH programs won the conference tournament and qualified for the national tournament in the same year!
We all feel terrible for our softball and baseball coaches and student-athletes whose season was abruptly stopped just as it was beginning. However, we are excited that the NAIA has granted an extra year of eligibility to the seniors from these programs who wish to come back and play again next spring. It will be that much sweeter when we get to see them perform next year, as both programs will be hungry and ready to compete with big goals in mind! These programs deserve it and I hope everyone will do all that they can to come out and support them when that time comes.
Since classes were moved to all online delivery starting right after spring break and most students moved home, we have taken the time to refurbish many areas in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. When Coach Johnson’s volleyball team takes the court this fall, everyone will see a fresh new look in the facility. Coach Johnson has a great group of student-athletes returning, led by All-American Victoria Johnson, along with a surplus of signed local talent ready to don Comet blue.
Speaking of local talent, Coach Larson and his newly assembled staff have signed a bunch of regional talent, combined with some from national pockets of promise, to get some needed depth and continued improvement for Comet Football. I know these gentlemen are more than anxious to get their preseason going.
Finally, it looks like our Student Athlete Advisory Committee will be coming home with a BOSA Cup for the second year in a row, led by Comet student-athletes Shaye Kemball and Darrel Wilson. I could not be prouder of how hard this group works for our community and to create outstanding game atmospheres for all home games throughout the year. They exhibit excellence in all things Mayville State.
I hope to see all of you this fall as we pick up in early August. Until then, I wish you great health and safety and pray for all of you and your loved ones through these summer months. Hang in there. We will climb through this obstacle as we always do. It is simply, “The Mayville Way.”
Go Comets!
Ryan Hall
Athletic Director
