The Teambackers Club is an athletic promotion and fundraising organization for UMC. It operates in conjunction with the UMC Development Office, the Athletic Department and the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Chancellor Casey Renews Commitment to Division II Athletics

(2006) UMC Chancellor, Charles H. Casey, reaffirmed the University's commitment to Division II Athletics at UMC. Chancellor Casey states, "Teambackers have provided outstanding support for the University of Minnesota, Crookston Athletic Program. Their financial support for scholarships for student athletes is important as is the visibility they provide in the community and region for Golden Eagle Athletics."

Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics, states, "We are very excited about the commitment that the Chancellor and University are making to the athletic program. We want to build excellence in all of our athletic programs. Excellence requires various resources; ticket sales, sponsorships, and private gifts. Resources of all varieties are more important than ever with the rising costs of transportation, facility improvements, and scholarship needs. Your generosity is critical to ensure the ongoing success of Golden Eagle Athletics."

UMC is committed to a strong, well-balanced program of intercollegiate athletics which offers competition in 12 sports:

• Men - baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey;
• Women - basketball, equestrian, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball.

UMC is in its tenth year as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The hockey program is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) and the equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Nearly 280 student athletes compete in UMC athletics. Many athletes have earned All-Conference and All-Academic honors while competing for UMC. Some of the recent athletic teams' accomplishments include:

• Steven Busho Names NSIC All-Conference (Men's Golf)
• Zach Coauette Earns NSIC Defensive Player of the Week Honors (Football)
• Golden Eagle Football has three named NSIC All-Conference (Football)
• Eight Golden Eagles earn NSIC Fall All-Academic Honors (Football, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Volleyball)
• Kyle Knudsen earns MCHA Defensive Player of the Week Honors (Men's Hockey)
• Ryan Leadens earns MCHA Player of the Week Honors (Men's Hockey)
• Three UMC hockey players make MCHA All-Academic Team (Men's Hockey)
• Aaron Smith and Theresa Crance earn NSIC All-Academic Honors for Winter Sports (Men's & Women's Basketball)
• Bryce Cummings earns NSIC Player of the Week honors (Men's Basketball)
• Bryce Cummings named NSIC Co-Newcomer of the Year (Men's Basketball)
• Five spring athletes earn NSIC All-Academic Honors (Baseball & Softball)
• Steven Busho and Kyle Peterson advance to Super-Regionals (Men's Golf)
• Danika Kent competes at nationals, ranked tenth in the country (Equestrian-Western)
• Steven Busho named to the Division II PING All-Region Team (Men's Golf)

The cost of athletic scholarships at the University of Minnesota, Crookston is rising dramatically. Grant-in-Aid (tuition, books, fees, and room & board) at the University has increased significantly in the last five years. Today, scholarships consume nearly 24% of the athletics department budget.

Please take a few minutes to consider how you can help the University of Minnesota, Crookston student athletes in their quest for excellence. Please feel free to contact our development staff at 218-281-8436 if you have questions or comments. On behalf of the UMC Teambacker organization of the Golden Eagle Athletics, thank you for your past support and future generosity. I am confident that we will continue to build an athletic program that will provide a sense of pride, tradition, and legacy in our community, region, and state.