Photo special to Bison Illustrated
What are the core values of North Dakota State? Are they relevant outside of athletics? We asked and former football players answered.
Tom Van Voorhis
(Free Safety, 1981-1985)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Team first, love your brother, anyone who touches the team is part of the family.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Most definitely I have always tried to be a team player.”
Drew Hushka
(Fullback, 2006-2010)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Competition and Respect.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Yes, I believe I still use the same “competition” ethic in my career today.”
Josh Anderson
(Tight End, 1996-1998)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Grit, Mettle, Loyalty.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Absolutely no question about it. Once it was engraved in me, and I got a taste for the Bison Way, I did not want to change nor did I care about any other way.”
Todd Zabel
(Cornerback, 1985-1989)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Commitment, high achievement, hard work, doing things the right way.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Yes, sports/team activities in general provide those important lessons that shape us personally and professionally and experiencing this at a high level enhances those traits.”
Dean Rindy
(Wide Receiver, 1977-1979)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Tradition, discipline, respect, caring, honor.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Absolutely. They are ingrained in you if you have been in the program. You live your life with these values daily.”
Chad Pundsack
(Linebacker, 1990-1994)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Respect – Committment – Pride.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Absolutely! I function as a husband, father and manager with those basic principles I was taught at NDSU every day of my life.”
Dan Paulson
(Running Back, 1984-1988)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Work Ethic, Discipline, Teamwork, Humility.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“All the values are important in accomplishing goals. It doesn’t matter if the goal is to win a football game or succeed in business.”
Matt Tracy
(Offensive Lineman, 1984-1988)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Tradition (above team), Team (above self), Integrity, Commitment, Continuous Improvement, & Humility.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Yes! As mentioned above, Bison football is certainly about seizing the moment – here-and-now but, the essence of how we do that & what is learned – is a foundation for Life.”
Jared Peck
(Tight End, 1997-2001)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Discipline, Accountability, Toughness, Love, Pride.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“I like to think they have. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my time at NDSU.”
Randy Johnson
(Athletic Trainer, 1967-1971)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“To be the best you can be at anything you do.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Yes. They taught me to be a leader and the confidence to be one.”
Trevor Gebhart
(Wide Receiver, 2010-2014)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Genuinely believing in the program being above yourself.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“I know they did. Because I get asked about why I do the things I do all the time. People think I’m crazy. But we’re the Mighty Bison. It’s who we are. It’s what we do.”
Ryan Jastram
(Kicker, 2009-2011)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Integrity, Team Focus, and Trust in one another, share one common goal.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Yes. I follow those same core values everyday. I follow those values because that’s what I believe in and it has never steered me in the wrong direction.”
Clay Brosz
(Defensive Back/Outside Linebacker, 1996-2001)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Family, Pride, Success.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Absolutely. With these values as a focus you could see the results on the field. They were very apparent. As I moved away from my playing days I realized that these can be the same values that could lead to the same success in my career and family life.”
Mark Winkelman
(Center/Long-Snapper, 1978-1981)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Working harder than your competition (winning the 4th quarter), becoming a part of a special brotherhood, and continuing the tradition of success that has been built by so many former players’ sweat and blood.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Yes, others provided the support needed in the past to give me the opportunity to be a Bison, now it’s our turn to support the next generations. Once a Bison always a Bison!”
Thomas Adams
(Cornerback, 1987-1991)
What do you believe NDSU Football’s core values are?
“Self confidence, attention to detail, self discipline.”
Do you think these values stayed with you after your time at NDSU? If so, how and why?
“Absolutely. These values have propelled me professionally and personally. They were stressed to me at a very influential point in my life and they are values that are central to life. They carry far beyond the football field.”
Be sure to look for the print edition of our special Alumni issue on magazine stands or in your mailbox later this month.
