Centennial Student Union Blog
MARCH 5 – The #20-ranked Maverick women’s basketball squad claimed the program’s first-ever conference championship in an 89-74 win over the University of Mary. Senior guard Joey Batt of New Ulm, Minn., was named the NSIC Tournament MVP. Both Maverick women and men won NSIC titles; the first time a program has swept the tourney since 2011.
MARCH 5 – Nationally ranked at #2, the 29-2 Minnesota State Mavericks men’s basketball claimed its first North Central Conference title in a decade after toppling #9 Minnesota Duluth 97-77 in championship play. NSIC Player of the Year, Malik Willingham, 6-3 senior from New Ulm, Minn., was selected NSIC Tournament MVP. Both Maverick men and women won NSIC titles; the first time a program has swept the tourney since 2011.
MARCH 4 – Shane Zylstra, Maverick football’s single-season and all-time receiving record holder, has re-signed with the Detroit Lions. The signing comes after Zylstra suffered a season-ending knee injury during 2023 training camp. According the Detroit Free Press, Zylstra was signed March 4 to a one-year contract. He returns for the 2024 season as one of three tight ends currently on the Lions roster.
As a kid Joey Batt hated basketball. She wanted to quit at a very young age. Now in her senior year, the stellar guard from New Ulm, Minn., has cemented herself into Maverick history as one of the best to touch the court. Luke Jackson, editor for the MSU Reporter shares a feature story that traces Joey’s evolution from youthful dabbling with the “boring” sport of basketball to what Maverick’s coach Emilee Thiesse considers the “heartbeat of the team.”
Minnesota State’s Abel Christiansen (hurdles), South Milwaukee, Wisc., took home NSIC Track Athlete of the Week honors and Onyekachi Ukaobasi (jumps), Geneva, Ill., won NSIC Field Athlete of the Week in a clean sweep of weekly awards announced Monday, Feb. 12. This marks the second time this year that the Mavericks have claimed both NSIC Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors.
If you’re looking for a way to shake up your Thursday evenings, stop on by Schellberg Gym for drop-in Pickleball! September 14 through November 30, every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m.
Jenny Vetter, Maverick Women’s Soccer standout, has signed a professional contract with the Racing Power Football Club in Portugal. The former Maverick reports to the team in July.
Teddy Blueger, four-year standout for Mavericks’ Men’s Hockey from 2012-2016, became the second Maverick to be on a Stanley Cup champion team. Traded to the Golden Knights in March, Blueger appeared in six games during the team’s playoff run with a goal and an assist.
A total of 94 Minnesota State student-athletes have been named to the NSIC Spring All-Academic Team for their efforts in the classroom.
Jalen Sample, former Maverick wide receiver, has signed as an NFL undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders. It is the third consecutive year that a Maverick made it into the NFL.
Scott Nelsen has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director/Marketing & Communications. The announcement was made May 5 by Minnesota State Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman.
Minnesota State Mavericks are the sixth seed in the NCAA II regional baseball tournament. The Mavericks face Southern Arkansas. It is the Mavericks’ 40th appearance at the NCAA Tournament.
The life and routine of Maverick athletes was the focus of Thursday morning’s Kato Living on KEYC with Lisa Cownie and Kelsey Barchenger. Ava Blackney, with Maverick Women’s Soccer, and TaeVyn Grixby with Maverick Football, shared daily schedule that includes classes, practice, meetings, training, and part-time jobs.
Five members of the 2022-23 Maverick Men’s Hockey Team are eyeing professional hockey careers after signing with NHL or NHL-affiliated teams.
Mike Hastings, Maverick men’s hockey head coach for the past 11 seasons, has accepted the head coaching position for the University of Wisconsin Badger men’s hockey program.
Student athletes are invited to attend Athletes Connect, an interactive space for those interested in learning, growing, and connecting with one another.
When a skate blade severed his carotid artery and sliced his jugular, NHL goalie Clint Malarchuk eventually recovered, but not before struggling with mental illness. Now he speaks about mental illness, its stigma and the path to recovery. Malarchuk’s autobiography, The Crazy Game: How I Survived the Crease and Beyond, will be the focus of a Thursday, Feb. 2, lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the CSU Ballroom. The event is free to the public.
Paul Allan, who retired Dec. 16 as senior deputy director/internal operations after 37 years with Maverick athletics, is the new director of communications for the U.S. Hockey League.
One of Minnesota State Mankato’s best-known alums is Adam Thielen, All Pro wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Thielen’s latest accolade is the Vikings nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. In 2018, Thielen and wife Caitlin, also a Minnesota State Mankato alum, launched the Thielen Foundation which largely supports youth-based programs. Vote for Adam on your social media with hashtag hashtag #WPMOYChallengeThielen
Draft Diamonds listed three Minnesota State Mavericks as promising 2023 NFL projects. Wide receiver Jalen Sample, and defensive backs Alijah McGhee and Somon Anderson were tagged as potential NFL players. The Mavericks home opener is Saturday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. against Minnesota/Duluth.