Northwest Missouri State University will honor its recently retired Bearcat football coach and his wife in September during Mel and Carol Tjeerdsma Day.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to honor Mel, Carol and the Tjeerdsma family,” Northwest Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “The Tjeerdsma family has made many contributions to this institution, athletic department and the Maryville community. We know the campus and community will enjoy having the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to two of our most dedicated Bearcats.”

The two-day celebration begins Friday, Sept. 9, with a reception, dinner and tribute. The reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Lamkin Activity Center foyer; the dinner and tribute begins at 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

The cost for the Friday evening events is $100 per person. Private reserved tables of eight are available for $800, and private reserved tables of 10 are available for $1,000. Proceeds benefit the Coach T Student-Athlete Success Program, which improves academic and life enrichment opportunities for Northwest student-athletes. Dress is casual, Bearcat attire.

The registration deadline for the event is Wednesday, Aug. 17. Register by going to www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/events/tjeerdsmaday/dinner.htm or calling 660.562.1248.

Patrons who cannot attend the event but wish to contribute to the Coach T Student-Athlete Success Program may go to www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/giving/forms/coacht.htm.

A series of events also will take place in the Tjeerdsmas’ honor Saturday, Sept 10, coinciding with the Bearcat football team’s home opener against the University of Sioux Falls. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

Former Bearcat football players are invited to a reunion from 10 a.m. to noon on the Gaunt House lawn. The event is by invitation only. Players may register by going to www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/events/tjeerdsmaday/reunion.htm.

The day continues with Bearcat Zone festivities honoring the Tjeerdsmas from 4 to 6 p.m. at College Park. The celebration will include free mini posters to be autographed by Coach Tjeerdsma, collectible bobbleheads of Coach Tjeerdsma for purchase, tailgate food for purchase, and performances by the Bearcat Marching Band, Northwest Steppers and Cheer Squad.

The Tjeerdsmas also will be recognized at the football game. Fans may purchase tickets online by visiting www.northwestbearcats.com and finding ticket information in the drop-down menu under “game day” or by contacting the Student Services Center at 660.562.1212. Individual game tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 22.

Fans also may leave special messages for Mel and Carol Tjeerdsma using an online form at www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/events/tjeerdsmaday/message.htm. Messages will be compiled and presented to the Tjeerdsmas during the celebration.

For more information about the events, call Brenda Untiedt at 660.562.1248.

Mel Tjeerdsma, who retired in December 2010 after coaching the Bearcats for 17 seasons, elevated the Northwest football program to one of the greatest in the history of Division II.

Under his leadership, the Bearcats won back-to-back national championships in 1998 and 1999. Northwest added a third championship in 2009, capping an unprecedented run of five national championship game appearances that began in 2005.

Among his peers in Division II, Tjeerdsma’s 242 victories are third on the active wins list when he retired, and he tallied more postseason victories than any other coach in Division II history. He led Northwest to the playoffs 13 times in the last 15 seasons, sporting a 32-10 overall postseason record and is the program’s all-time winningest coach.

From 1996 to his last season in 2010, Tjeerdsma’s teams won 12 conference championships, and 10 of those teams finished 9-0 in league play. Northwest won 41 consecutive conference games from 1997-2001, a record that stood until his squad surpassed it in 2010.

Tjeerdsma was the Liberty Mutual Division II National Coach of the Year in 2009 and was among the first three coaches inducted into the NCAA Division II College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He is a 12-time MIAA Coach of the Year honoree and was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame in June.

Carol Tjeerdsma retired from Northwest in June as instructor of curriculum and instruction. After arriving at Northwest with her husband in 1994, she became an integral part of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, teaching special education and general education courses. She was chair of the College of Education and Human Services’ Diversity Team, coordinated volunteer projects and served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nodaway County.

— NWMSU Press Release —

Northwest Missouri State University announces the hiring of Scott Nielson as its associate athletic director for external affairs. He will be responsible for coordinating the external affairs of the Department of Athletics including development, marketing and media relations.

Nielson earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Northwest in 2001 and has worked in various capacities within the University of Missouri-Columbia’s athletics department since 2003.

“We are excited to have someone of Scott’s caliber come on board,” Northwest Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “We are making a lot of changes with the external side of our athletic department and getting someone with Scott’s knowledge and experience will help us improve the way we do business and increase the customer service we provide our fans. It is always good to welcome a Bearcat back home.”

“I would like to thank Wren Baker, the Northwest athletics department and the entire University for this chance to come back home,” Nielson said. “Northwest is a very special place to me, and I’m excited for this opportunity. I look forward to working hard to contribute to the overall success of Bearcat athletics and being part of the Northwest community once again.”

At the University of Missouri, Nielson began as a marketing associate and was promoted to assistant director of marketing in 2005. He became director of marketing in 2009 and was responsible for game presentation, formulating marketing plans, negotiating advertising agreements and assessing customer needs, among other duties.

In his new role at Northwest, Nielson’s primary emphasis will be on developing and cultivating donors and supporters for the athletic department. He will supervise the assistant athletic director for media relations and communications and the assistant athletic director for marketing, licensing and promotions.

— NWMSU Press Release —

Northwest Missouri State Head Coach Adam Dorrel has announced the addition of seven transfers on Tuesday for the upcoming 2011 football season including four members from former MIAA member Nebraska-Omaha.

“We have seven guys that can come in and contribute right away,” said Dorrel.  “It’s been a great summer and have new guys coming in and doing everything that is asked of them.  We are also adding a group of players that are proven at the Division II level and in the MIAA.”

In total the Bearcats have added five Division II transfers and two junior college transfers.

A trio of offensive players from UNO include: Brian Miller (WR), John Becklon (OL), and James Franklin (RB), and Jerry Key (CB) on the defensive side of the ball.  Also from Division II Texas A&M-Kingsville is Derrick Thomas (CB) who played against the Bearcats twice last season.  Rounding out the group is Jon Gregg (TE) from Monterey Peninsula Junior College and Travis Chappelear (DE) who played one season at Missouri State.

“We really believe we added seven guys who fit our system,” said Dorrel, who enters his first season at the helm after replacing the late Scott Bostwick who passed on June 5. “The men we have brought in have done a good job and worked hard this summer.  They all are fitting in well and buying into what Northwest football is all about.”

Thomas was a second-team all-Lone Star Conference selection at cornerback for the Javelinas and and brings a physical style of play to the Bearcat secondary.  The San Antonio native started in all 12 games in 2010 including two match-ups with Northwest.

“Derrick is a special player and to have him in our secondary we fortunate,” Dorrel said.  “He has lockdown corner ability and has proven he can compete at a high level in Division II.”

Brian Miller is a speedy receiver from UNO who was second in receiving with 476 yards.  A Kansas City product, Miller caught 26 passes and averaged 18.3 yards per catch for the Mavericks in his sophomore season.

John Becklun also comes from Nebraska-Omaha where he saw limited action in four games as a redshirt freshman.  Running back James Franklin also joins Beckun and Miller in the green and white after earning honorable mention all-MIAA honors as a true freshman.  Franklin was the second leading rusher for the Mavericks in his only season carrying the ball 158 times for over 820 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jerry Key also joins the Bearcats from UNO as a corner back playing in 10 games in one season for the Mavericks.  Key brings even more talent to the Northwest secondary and could be a valuable asset on special teams.

“The men from UNO are all proven players in the MIAA,” said Dorrel.  “All four can contribute right away.  Brian (Miller) is a big tall receiver with great hands that we had tried to recruit out of Parkhill High School in Kansas City, so we’re happy to finally get him back on campus.  John has great foot speed and brings flexibility to the offensive line being able to play either guard or center.  James Franklin is also going to be a great fit in our offense where we can get him the ball a number of ways.  He has great vision in the open field and along with Jerry Key’s talent they will both find a spot on the field on Saturdays.”

Dorrel also added a pair of ends on each side of the ball in Jon Gregg, a tight end from Monterey Peninsula Junior College.  Travis Chappelear will join the Bearcats on the defensive side of the ball at defensive end and nose guard after playing one season at Missouri State.

“Jon has been working hard and has great hands and is a former basketball player converted tight end fitting the mold for a number of ends in today’s game,” Dorrel said.  “Chappelear will also bring some great versatility to the defensive line where he has played nose guard and at the end positions which is a rare trait.”

The Bearcats report on August 10th with the first fall practice starting Thursday August 11th.  Head Coach Dorrel and the Bearcats will close out fall camp on the 25th with a scrimmage open to the public followed by Meet the Bearcats Night before opening the Season on September 1 at Truman State.

— NWMSU Sports Information —