DSU announces Class of 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees
March 28, 2011
MADISON, S.D. - The 2011 Dakota State University Athletic Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. They will be formally recognized at a banquet on June 4 in Madison.
The inductees are Bob Casagrande, Terry Kasperbauer, Kent Kersten, Marie Parker-Sample and Rob Van Laecken.
Casagrande, a 1975 Dakota State graduate, was a four-year starter for the Trojan Football team from 1971 to 1975. He was named to South Dakota-Iowa Conference (SDIC) All-Conference three times and NAIA All-District 12 twice. Casagrande was a team captain and selected as most valuable defensive player in his junior and senior years.
Kasperbauer is a 1977 graduate of Dakota State. He was a four-year quarterback starter (1973-1977) and helped the Trojans win three SDIC conference championships. Kasperbauer currently holds several passing records. He also played baseball where he was an All-Conference in 1976 and 1977.
Kersten attended Dakota State from 1971 to 1973. He also was a wrestler for the Trojans. He was a wrestling coach for over 35 years and is second on the all-time win list for Iowa wrestling coaches' victories. Kersten has coached two state championship teams and five runner-up teams. He holds the record for most consecutive dual tournament appearances in all three classes in Iowa.
Parker-Sample, a 1999 DSU graduate, had numerous accomplishments as a runner. She was a four-time SDIC cross country All-Conference, four-time All-Conference indoor track and three-time All-Conference outdoor track. Parker-Sample was named to NAIA All-American six times (three each in cross country and track). She qualified for the 2008 Olympic trial marathon.
Van Laecken surpassed his 500th coaching victory as a head girls' basketball coach at Parkston High School in 2009. He had led the girls' team to numerous conference championships, district titles and took his team to state tournament nine different times. Van Laecken, a 1974 Dakota State graduate, is currently an athletic director at Parkston where he has held that position since 1985.
The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on June 4 at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. The event is open to the public. For more information on tickets and ceremony, contact DSU Athletics at 605-256-5229.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
