Sport Sciences Department -Northern State University

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Sport Sciences Department -Northern State University

located on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. for more information visit northern.edu

04/01/2026

🐺 Alumni Spotlight: Alec Schoof

Alec Schoof, a 2023 graduate of Northern State University with a master’s degree in Sport Leadership, is currently in his second year as the Director of Athletic Communications at Black Hills State University.

In his role, Alec oversees media relations for all 14 athletic programs and the department as a whole. During the 2025–26 academic year, he has promoted four All-Americans and served as the primary contact for the Yellow Jackets’ third men’s basketball Elite Eight appearance in the last five seasons.

Prior to his time at Black Hills State, Alec spent a year as the Sports Information Director at West Liberty University in West Virginia, where he led communications for 18 teams, including a wrestling program that reached No. 1 in the nation during the 2023–24 season and featured a back-to-back national champion and NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year.

Alec has also contributed on the national stage, volunteering on communications staffs for six national championship events, including the Men’s College World Series in Omaha on two occasions.

Reflecting on his time at Northern, Alec shares:

“Northern provided an incredible opportunity for me as a graduate student. The ability to gain first-hand experience in an outstanding athletic department and receive an education from professors that truly wanted the best for everyone created valuable learning experiences. I’ll forever be grateful for the relationships I built in Aberdeen and the path it created to get me to where I am today.”

03/23/2026

📊 Department Spotlight

Our students recently represented Northern State University at the Northland American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Conference in Sioux Falls, where they presented their research through professional poster presentations.

Shoutout to Griffin Kopp, Chloe Voss, and Abby Missman for showcasing their hard work and contributing to meaningful conversations in the field of sports science and human performance.

Opportunities like this allow our students to gain valuable experience in research, communication, and professional development, while representing the strength of the NSU Sports Sciences program.

Great work, Wolves! 🐺👏

03/06/2026

🐺 Student Spotlight: James Glenn

James Glenn is from Des Moines, Iowa and is proud to be part of the Wolf Pack at Northern State University.

James is majoring in Human Performance (Pre-Chiropractic) and is a member of the Men’s Basketball Team. During his time at Northern, he has appreciated the strong sense of community that makes the campus feel like home.

“Northern State has truly shown me how tight-knit a college community can be, and I’ve loved being a part of it.”

After graduation, James plans to attend chiropractic college, though he is still deciding which program he will pursue.

Outside of school and athletics, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Chandra, and their daughter, Jordy Jo.

✝️ Jesus loves you!

02/24/2026

Finals might be a ways off, but the academic stress is real.📚😟
Help the Northern Sports Sciences team study how that stress impacts your physical performance. We’re looking for students to join our VO2 study this month!
How to join:

*
Scan the QR code on the post.
*
Click the following link - https://tinyurl.com/4de8846k

📍 Where: Human Performance Lab (Barnett Center) 📅 When: All through February
Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected].

Thank you,

02/20/2026

🐺 Student Spotlight: Krayle Stormer

Krayle Stormer grew up in rural Montana on a sheep ranch before earning his undergraduate degree at Oregon State University, where he focused on wrestling.

Now at Northern State University, Krayle is competing in his final year of wrestling while pursuing his master’s degree in Sport Performance & Leadership.

“NSU has given me the opportunity to fully lean into and solely focus on the sport I love so much, wrestling.”

Looking ahead, Krayle has big goals — he hopes to work in the space industry designing rockets for NASA or SpaceX.

02/18/2026

🐺 Alumni Spotlight: Logan LeGrand

Originally from Aberdeen, SD, Logan LeGrand was a proud member of the Northern State University Men’s Basketball Team during his time at Northern. While competing for the Wolves, the team captured two conference titles, two conference tournament championships, and made an incredible run as National Finalists in 2018.

Logan graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Marketing and Management and a minor in Business. Following graduation, he and his wife, Taylor, moved to Fargo, ND to begin their careers before recently moving back home this past summer.

He currently serves as the Director of Workforce Development at Reede Construction, Inc. In late May 2026, Logan and Taylor welcomed their son, Dak, into the world. As a family, they enjoy attending as many Northern athletic events as possible and staying connected to the Wolf Pack community.

Reflecting on his time at Northern, Logan shares:

“I really couldn’t have had a better experience. The relationships I was able to develop in the classroom, in athletics, and in the community were invaluable and truly helped propel me in the professional world. Those relationships are ones we still hold closely to this day.”

As always — GDW. 🐺

02/15/2026

🐺 Student Spotlight: Hilary Sonnabend

Meet Hilary Sonnabend, a junior from Brillion, Wisconsin, majoring in Sports Marketing and Administration with a minor in Sports Media at Northern State University.

Hilary is a dedicated member of the NSU Swim and Dive Team, specializing in sprint freestyle and backstroke events. Her commitment in the pool reflects the same drive she brings to the classroom.

Outside of athletics and academics, Hilary enjoys spending time outdoors and making the most of every opportunity to be with friends and family.

After graduation, she hopes to work with a college athletics program in social media and marketing, helping promote teams and connect with fans through creative and engaging content.

“NSU has given me a place where I’ve been able to grow both personally and as a student-athlete.”

02/11/2026

🐺 Alumni Spotlight: Zoe Hardwick

Meet Zoe Hardwick, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Minnesota. After graduating from Minnetonka High School (following her first two years at Eden Prairie), Zoe knew she wanted to attend a university that offered strong support and meaningful involvement. After visiting Northern State University three times with Coach Paula Krueger, she knew she had found her home.

During her time at Northern, Zoe earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration and Marketing and her Master’s degree in Sport Leadership & Performance, all while competing as a member of the Women’s Basketball Team.

Zoe was deeply involved across campus, serving in NSU SAAC, NSIC Leadership, NSIC DEI, and Multicultural Affairs, and participating in two Unity Walks. During her senior year, she was selected to attend the prestigious NCAA Leadership Forum in Texas, where she strengthened her commitment to servant leadership—something that shaped both her academic and personal journey.

Some of her proudest moments include hosting a Black History Month meal in partnership with The Den staff and being part of the annual Unity Walk, which brought the Northern community together in solidarity against racism and injustice.

Since graduating, Zoe has spent time traveling, working at Mulligan’s, and most recently accepted a role as Program Outreach Coordinator at Safe Harbor, a domestic violence shelter. In her position, she assists individuals with protection orders, safety planning, outreach, and education—continuing her passion for service and advocacy.

Reflecting on her experience, Zoe shares a lyric that perfectly captures her time at Northern:

“There’s no such thing as a life better than yours.”

She adds that college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and she’s grateful for the people, teammates, staff, and mentors at Northern who made her journey so meaningful.

Once a Wolf, always a Wolf. 🐺

02/09/2026

🏃‍♂️Department Spotlight | Human Performance & Exercise Science

Our lab has recently added a Cardiac Science Q-Stress cardiac stress testing system with treadmill. This specialized equipment will significantly advance our cardiovascular and exercise physiology research while giving students hands-on, real-world experience conducting cardiac stress tests and EKG monitoring.

This addition enhances our ability to prepare students for careers in clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehab, strength & conditioning, and graduate-level research, while continuing to expand experiential learning opportunities at Northern State University.

02/06/2026

🐺 Student Spotlight: Carson Zimmel

Originally from Moorhead, MN, Carson Zimmel attended Bismarck State College before continuing his journey at Northern State University. He is majoring in Physical Education and stays actively involved on campus through FCA and various Bible studies.

After graduating from Northern, Carson hopes to become a Physical Education teacher and a high school baseball coach, combining his passion for education, faith, and athletics.

“The community at Northern State has changed my life. Being surrounded by great people—especially my teammates—has led me to become a better man in all aspects.”

We’re proud to have Carson as part of the Wolf Pack! 🐺💪

01/30/2026

🐺 Student Spotlight: Rayden Zens

Meet Rayden Zens, a sophomore at Northern State University and a proud member of the NSU Wrestling Team.

Rayden is majoring in Human Performance / Pre-Physical Therapy with a minor in Coaching. When he’s not training or studying, he enjoys playing disc golf with teammates and spending time with friends.

Northern has played a meaningful role in Rayden’s growth:

“NSU has shown me what it means to live. I’ve made friends and learned a lot about myself here.”

After graduation, Rayden plans to attend graduate school for Physical Therapy and hopes to coach wrestling in the future, continuing to give back to the sport that has shaped him.

Notable Fact: Rayden has been living with Type 1 diabetes since age two and has continued to compete and train at a high level throughout his athletic career—a testament to his resilience and determination.

We’re proud to have Rayden as part of the Wolf Pack! 🐺💪

01/28/2026

🐺 Alumni Spotlight: Tanner Feterl

Meet Tanner Feterl, a proud Northern State University alum originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, who has built a successful career across the sports and tech industries.

Tanner has lived in Denver, Colorado for the past seven years and enjoys spending his free time outdoors—biking, skiing, camping, and fly fishing. He is married to his wife, who is also from Rapid City, and together they have a golden doodle named Willis.

Following graduation, Tanner began his career in the sports industry working for Learfield IMG College at South Dakota State University, where he managed and sold corporate sponsorships. He later transitioned into a similar role at the University of Denver. After COVID, Tanner made the jump into the tech industry and has spent the last five years at Ibotta, starting as an Account Manager and now leading a team of Account Managers.

Reflecting on his time at Northern, Tanner shares:

“NSU impacted me in many ways, but the one that stands out is the relationships that I built from my time in the classroom, the Athletic Department through internships, and as a member of the football team. Each relationship helped me grow, learn, and develop both personally and professionally.”

Tanner’s journey highlights how the experiences and connections made at Northern continue to shape success well beyond graduation.

🐺 Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!

Address

1200 S. JAY Street
Aberdeen, SD
57401

Website

http://northern.edu/, https://givingday.northern.edu/p2p/287949/nsusportsciences

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