Dear Crookston Community,
As we enter the month of November, my thoughts turn to reflection, gratitude, and community. With Veterans Day approaching, let us recognize and honor the brave men and women who have put their lives on hold to serve our country and protect the freedoms we hold dear. Their dedication and sacrifices deserve our appreciation and respect.
We are thrilled to share that U.S. News & World Report recently named the University of Minnesota Crookston as the No. 1 Best College for Veterans among regional colleges in the Midwest. This honor reflects our ongoing commitment to affordability, specialized support services, and an environment where military-connected students can truly thrive.
Military-connected students bring a unique wealth of character and talent to our institution. Here are some of the many strengths that veterans and service members bring to campus:
- High-Level Foundation: They have a strong foundation built through rigorous education, extensive training, and hands-on experience in the armed forces.
- Diverse Perspectives: Their global education, specialized training, and unique life experiences enrich our classrooms.
- Proven Resilience: They are trained problem solvers who thrive under pressure, with many possessing extensive, formal leadership training.
- Mission Focus: They approach higher education with the same dedication as a military mission, remaining highly focused on accomplishing their academic and career goals.
- Service-Oriented Character: They possess a deeply ingrained culture of service, volunteering and contributing to community-building efforts more frequently than any other student demographic.
Join us in celebrating and thanking the veterans in our community on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. We will be serving dessert at 6:30 p.m. with a formal recognition at 7:00 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.
Athletic Updates and Celebrating Our Fall Sports
The very same qualities we honor in our veterans – resilience, mission focus, and a deep commitment to a team purpose – are mirrored in the dedication of our student-athletes. As our fall sports seasons come to a close, we celebrate the incredible grit, discipline, and Golden Eagle spirit displayed on the field, the court, and the trail.
Our student-athletes have put in countless hours of intense preparation, balancing rigorous academics with the high-pressure demands of regional competition. Whether competing through a challenging final stretch, making a game-changing play, or supporting their teammates, they have represented UMN Crookston with pride, dedication, and character.
Here is a quick synopsis of our NCAA- sponsored fall sports. Trap, hockey and men’s and women’s golf and basketball will continue into 2027, with their seasons wrapping up throughout the year. A special thank you to Shawn Smith and the sports communications team for their dedication and hard work. Every game, every day, they keep the public informed and connected to everything happening with Golden Eagles athletics.
Volleyball: The volleyball team is in their first season under Head Coach Kathleen Rustad. They were led by Madison Carsten, a senior, who became the second person in the NSIC era to eclipse 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills. The Golden Eagles are 3-23 and continue to show improvement. They have two more games this week.
Soccer: The soccer team finished the season with a 0-12-6 record in the second season under Head Coach Danny Burstein. The Golden Eagles tied the mark for ties in a season, previously set in 2014. Minnesota Crookston finished on a strong note, as Emmah Burnes hit the game-tying goal with seven seconds remaining in the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock game against Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Equestrian: The Minnesota Crookston equestrian team picked up a huge win over the University of Tennessee-Martin, their first-ever over the Skyhawks with a 13-7 tally. Siara Mosby was named the Horsemanship Most Outstanding Player (MOP) and was the Horsemanship Rider of the Week.
Women’s and Men’s Cross Country: The Golden Eagle men’s and women’s cross country teams have had strong seasons and compete at the NSIC Championship November 7 in Sioux Falls, S.D., with a 10 a.m. start for the men’s race and 11:15 a.m. for the women’s race. The men’s team placed third of eight teams at the Jimmie Invitational, and fourth of 10 teams at the Warrior Invitational. The women’s squad took third of six teams at the Jimmie Invitational, and has a pair of sixth-place finishes at the Augie Twilight and Warrior Invitational.
Looking Ahead to Winter Sports
Women’s Basketball: The Golden Eagle women’s basketball team started the season on a great note, with an exhibition win over Division I University of North Dakota, the first exhibition win over an NCAA Division I school since 2015, when they upset North Dakota State University. The Golden Eagles open the season November 13 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Men’s Basketball: The Golden Eagle men’s basketball squad is in their fifth season under Head Coach Bryan Beamish. They played North Dakota State University in an exhibition Monday, and open the season Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m., at home versus St. Cloud State University.
As we look toward the winter season ahead, let us carry this spirit of service, resilience, and collective pride into everything we do. Thank you to our veterans for your service, and thank you to our fall athletes, coaches, and staff for your dedicated teamwork.
Go Golden Eagles!
Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause
