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Barthel, Husman named Terry Ryan Distinguished Service award
February 1, 2012
MADISON, S.D. – Longtime Madison residents Ron Barthel and Rich Husman were recognized Tuesday night as this year's Terry Ryan Distinguished Service Award. They both made significant contributions to Dakota State Athletics in their own unique ways.
In the 80's and 90's, Barthel served as the custodian at the DSU Fieldhouse. During that time, he met and became friends of many Dakota State student-athletes. "I really enjoyed my time at the Fieldhouse," said Barthel.
Former DSU point guard Fred Flemming and football player Phil Barrios were two of the many athletes Barthel befriended.
"I remember going fishing with Ron," said Barrios. "He always tried to convert me into a Chicago Cubs fan."
After serving in the U.S. Armed Forced, Barthel, who was born in rural St. Michael, Minn., went to work in Chicago where he became a longtime Chicago Bears and Cubs fans.
He and his wife Rose (Luehn) moved to Madison in 1978. Before joining the Dakota Staff in 1980, Barthel worked at Gehl Manufacturing. He and Rose also owned one of Madison's motels. Barthel and his wife have five children.
One of the highlights during Barthel's time at DSU was traveling by himself to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament in Stephenville, Texas, in 1992 to cheer on the Trojans in the Final Four.
"It was really nice to have the support of Madison fans down there," said Flemming, one of the '92 Final Four Trojans. "It was especially nice to have Ron down there!"
"I brought back the Final Four trophy and a carload of people," added Barthel.
Rich Husman, a Parker native and 1962 graduate of Parker High School, was a two-time Class B All-State player his junior and senior seasons.
He came to General Beadle State College (Dakota State University) in the fall of 1966 to play basketball for Ed Harter. Husman played both his junior and senior seasons for Harter before graduating from General Beadle in the spring of 1969.
While playing for Harter, the team won the 1967 SDIC championship. In 2003, the team was inducted into the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Fellow teammates named to the DSU Hall include Myron Moen, Lee Stoddard, Ray Riley, Tom Orton and Simon Schloe, along with Coach Harter.
After working for 32 years for the South Dakota Department of Labor, Husman retired in 2001. For nine seasons, Husman was the official scorebook keeper, working alongside with Ryan in many games.
Husman is one of the DSU Alumni Board of Directors and a charter member of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
He and his wife Jane (Trumble) have four children.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
