May 22, 2019

Mayville State University alumni Rick Anderson, Mike Mahlen, and Paul Twenge are all finalists for the 2019 coach of the year awards to be presented by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA). Todd Olson is a finalist for the athletic director of the year award. Award winners will be announced at the NHSACA 2019 national convention to be held at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck, N.D. June 22-27.

Candidates for the national coach and athletic director of the year awards are nominated by their respective state coaches associations. The next level of competition is at the regional level. Finally, eight candidates representing various categories: athletic director, baseball, boys assistant coach, boys basketball, boys cross country, boys track & field, football, girls assistant coach, girls basketball, girls cross country, golf, soccer, softball, special sports, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling, become finalists at the national level.

The NHSACA coach of the year awards are the most prestigious awards given to high school coaches in America. Some 152 coaches earn the national spotlight each June at the NHSACA annual convention. The NHSACA also recognizes numerous coaches each year during the national convention through induction into the NHSACA National Hall of Fame. The NHSACA provides the distinguished service award to state associations each year to honor and recognize coaches for their contributions to high school athletics.

Todd Olson is a 1991 Mayville State graduate. He is currently athletic director for Fargo (N.D.) Public Schools. Rick Anderson is boys cross country coach at Griggs County Central High School in Cooperstown, N.D. He graduated from Mayville State in 1974. Mike Mahlen is head football coach at Verndale (Minn.) High School and a 1969 Mayville State graduate. Paul Twenge coaches baseball at Minnetonka (Minn.) High School. He is a 1977 Mayville State graduate. Each of these men is a member of the Mayville State University Athletic Hall of Fame and/or Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.

The 2019 NHSACA national coaches of the year will be announced at a banquet scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. A reception is planned for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and a banquet meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. The banquet is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased at www.hscoaches.org/summer-convention.

The NHSACA is dedicated to serving high school coaches and athletic directors throughout the United States through education, recognition, and support. The goal of the organization is to promote high school athletics, and provide professional services to member coaches while providing all opportunities for all high school coaches. The NHSACA provides resources to promote professional growth, an attitude of teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy lifestyles for athletes, coaches, and athletic directors.