MSU President's Newspaper Column
March 2, 2024
Team Mayville State working hard to provide great experiences for players, coaches, and fans
Spring break is just a week away. The spring semester is buzzing along. Students, faculty, and staff are busy with a plethora of activities, from hosting a STEM carnival for elementary school students to preparing for and attending the state Collegiate DECA conference and presenting a music recital, while noting that the regular academic work continues. Being busy most definitely makes time fly by.
Last week, the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse was the site for basketball events nearly every day. Mayville State hosted the girls Division A Region 2 basketball tournament, as well as four state qualifier games on Saturday, Feb. 24.
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Comets men’s basketball team hosted Valley City State, and on Sunday, Feb. 25, the Comets women’s basketball team hosted Viterbo and the men hosted Dickinson State. These games were part of the North Star Athletic Association conference tournament. The women won their game and will advance to the championship game versus Dakota State on Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. As the top seed, Mayville State will host the game.
The high school action will begin again when the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse is the site for the Division A Region 2 boys basketball tournament. Games are set for Monday, March 4, Tuesday, March 5, and Thursday, March 6.
That’s nine days of basketball at the Lewy Lee in just a couple of weeks!
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the high school games. It’s been a number of years since high school tournaments were played at Mayville State. During the week, I watched some great basketball. I believe the Thompson versus Devils Lake game on Feb. 22 was the best high school girls basketball game I’ve seen. It was back and forth in exciting action throughout the entire game. In the end, Thompson was able to win it with a buzzer-beater.
There is a ton of behind the scenes and day-of work that goes into hosting these games, and I commend the army of Mayville State students and employees and others who are making it happen, and doing it with excellence.
Rocky Larson is working closely with Dave Nelson of Hillsboro, who is the high school tournament manager. Rocky is being assisted by Billy Tomblin and Dennis Hutter. They are handling everything from officials to game management; team, coach, and fan accommodations; and so much more! This comes in addition to the many duties that already fill their plates.
The Mayville State football team is handling concessions. Student athletes are serving as team hosts. Community volunteers are providing a hospitality room for school coaches and administrators, as well as those who are working the tournament. The May-Port Color Guard members have presented our nation’s colors each night, and Triplicity has been singing the National Anthem. Our enrollment team has been on deck promoting the great opportunities at Mayville State with potential students.
There are people selling tickets, running the clock, keeping the books, running the shot clock, announcing the play-by-play action and other information, broadcasting the games on the radio and internet, and many more. Our custodial and facilities staff are working hard to make sure things are neat and tidy.
The bottom line is that Team Mayville State is pulling out all the stops to be sure that all who participate in and attend the tournament games have the best possible experience. While at the games, I’ve heard people say, “This is the way high school basketball tournaments should be.” I couldn’t agree more. There’s a lot to be said for the atmosphere created in a facility where fans are close to the playing court and sitting elbow to elbow while cheering for their teams.
I thank our Mayville State employees and students and so many others for their contributions, as well as the participating teams, coaches, and fans for being a part of making the tournaments a memorable experience for all involved.