Dakota State University

2019 Dakota State University Athletics Hall of Fame

Inductee Name	Title/Award/Honor/Athlete/Coach/Others
Clay Amick	Football
Bruce Johannes	Football
Bill Nelson	Football
John Nyhaug	Coaching
Todd Payer	Football
1976 DSC Football	SDIC Championship Team

Clay Amick - Football

Clay Amick was an outstanding linebacker for the Dakota State College football team in the early 1980’s, helping to anchor one of the top defensive teams in the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC). 

Amick joined the Trojan football program in 1979.  That team completed the season with an overall record of 7-3 and 5-1 record in the SDIC contests.  DSC followed up with a 5-4 record in the 1980 season.

Amick earned his first SDIC All-Conference First Team distinction for DSC during his junior season in 1981.  Head coach Tom Shea described Amick as a very hard-hitting linebacker for the Trojans.

Amick fueled Dakota State College to the SDIC’s conference No. 1-ranked defense in 1982, finishing with an overall record of 5-5 and 4-3 record in league play.

The Trojans’ defense trio of Amick, Eugene Tetzlaff and Tony Wrice was instrumental in helping Dakota State reach the top as the conference’s best defensive team, giving up a stingy 212 yards per game against six SDIC foes (and only allowing 14.5 points per game in the SDIC conference).

Amick was a much-touted outside linebacker and was named to the SDIC All-Conference First Team for the second straight year.  He was also named NAIA District 12 First Team as well as an NAIA Football All-American Honorable Mention.

Amick graduated from Dakota State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial arts and returned home to the family farm near his hometown of Letcher, S.D., where he has been farming for the past 35 years.  He is a member of the Letcher Community Church, is involved with the Letcher Volunteer Fire Department, Letcher Fire Reserve, and the Letcher Township Board.

Amick enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, and granddaughters.  He met his wife Carla Gratzfeld in college and they have been married for 35 years.  They have two grown children – daughter Emma Klaas (and son-in-law Jacob Klaas, and their three children – Elsie, Amelia and Ann) and son Vern Amick.  Clay and Carla love to travel, 4-wheel, ride motorcycle, snow ski, snowmobile, golf and ride bicycle in their spare time.

Bruce Johannes - Football

Bruce Johannes was a standout defensive tackle who fueled Dakota State’s football team to a 5-1-1 record in the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) in 1983. 

Johannes was part of the 1982 Dakota State football team that was the SDIC’s No. 1-ranked defense team, finishing with an overall record of 5-5 and 4-3 record in league play.  The Trojans’ defense squad allowed a stingy 212 yards per game in six SDIC contests and gave up 14.5 points per game in SDIC conference games.

He had a stellar season in 1983, when the Trojans earned a second-place finish in the SDIC conference with a 5-1-1 mark.  DSC finished the season with wins against Dakota Wesleyan, S.D. Tech, Sioux Falls, USD-Springfield and Yankton College.  They recorded a tie with SDIC conference champion Black Hills State and suffered a setback versus Sioux Falls College.

In his final career collegiate football game versus Yankton College (14-3 DSC victory) at Trojan Field, the defensive frontline pressure by Johannes, Trojan nose man Mike Ortman, and end Troy Lee put the league’s leading rusher into the minus column in the first-half.  The trio continued to perform well in the second-half, holding the leading rusher to a minus 15 yards for the game.

Johannes was voted the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Linemen, propelling the Trojans’ defensive unit that allowed just 10.9 points per game in seven SDIC contests in 1983.  That squad was coached by Tom Shea who led the Trojans from 1981 through 1983.

Johannes was one of the seven Dakota State athletes placed on the SDIC All-Conference First Team.  He was also selected to the NAIA District 12 First Team, and was an NAIA Football All-America Honorable Mention for his outstanding defensive performances for Dakota State.

Johannes was also a member of the Trojan track & field team at Dakota State, and was one of the student assistant coaches for the Trojan football team in 1984.

After his graduation from Dakota State College, Johannes returned to his hometown in Cold Springs, Minn., where he worked at Cold Spring Granite from 1985 until 2001.  He is currently working at the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant as a security officer for G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc., where he has worked since 2001.

Johannes has also been an active member of ‘The Club Fitness’ since 1987.

Bill Nelson - Football

Bill Nelson was a stellar dual-sport athlete for Dakota State during the 1980s, excelling in both football and track for the Trojans.  On the football team, he was a full-time free safety and back-up quarterback for the Trojans; in track, he participated in the decathlon and field events.

Nelson graduated from Colman High School and continued his education and athletic career at Dakota State, joining the Trojan football program in 1981.

Nelson was one of the key defensive players for the 1982 Dakota State College football team that led the SDIC conference in defense, completing the campaign with an overall record of 5-5 and a 4-3 record in conference games. The Trojans’ defense until gave up a stingy 212 yards per game and 14.5 points per game against six SDIC conference opponents.

The Trojans had another impressive season in 1983, when DSC earned a second-place finish in the SDIC conference with a 5-1-1 record.  DSC recorded a tie with SDIC conference champion Black Hills State and suffered a setback versus Sioux Falls College. Nelson was part of the Trojans’ strong defense team that allowed just 10.9 points per game in seven SDIC contests.

Nelson, who was a team captain for the Trojans in 1984, was named SDIC All-Conference, NAIA District 12 First Team, and NAIA All-American Honorable Mention after his impressive defensive performances at the free safety position.

Nelson also excelled in track, holding several school records in the decathlon, javelin throw, and pole vault. He was the first to pole vault for the Trojans, setting the outdoor record by clearing a height of 14 feet at the Wayne State (Neb.) Invitational in 1986.  His mark surpassed a 13’ 9” mark set by Darwin Robinson in 1973 (DSU Hall of Fame).  Nelson’s outdoor mark is currently tied for the ninth best height in DSU history, with Jared Peterreins (2000), and Josh Sandvik (2003).  

Nelson’s 14-foot pole vault school record was also matched at the 1986 NAIA District 12 competition, where he placed second. He took second in the pole vault competition during the 1986 SDIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and earned a Spark Plug track team award.

Nelson also has the school’s second all-time decathlon score of 6,172 points, set in the Nebraska-Omaha Decathlon in 1984. He tallied 5,605 points in the decathlon in the 1986 NAIA District 12 meet, which is currently the fourth-most points scored in school history.
Nelson’s javelin throw of 182 feet, 10 inches, at the 1984 SDIC Outdoor Track & Field Conference Championships, is the fourth longest throw school history. This record is counted toward the old javelin specifications; new javelin throw specifications were adopted after the 1986 season.

Nelson served in the United States Army as an infantryman, artillery officer, and information officer from 1991 to 2016 in Fort Benning, Ga.  He was a member of the 3rd Infantry Division as G7 Information Operations Officer and Military Deception Officer from December 2010 through March 2014 in Fort Stewart, Ga.

He was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, from April 2014 through April 2016 as United States Forces Korea (USFK) Deputy Chief, focusing on the integration of several programs in support of USFK operations.

He returned to Georgia and became a special education teacher at the Muscogee County School District from 2016 through 2018.  Nelson is now living in Columbus, Ga. as a stay-at-home dad.  His wife Karen works at Martin Army Community Hospital as a nurse practitioner.  They have one son, Peyton.  Bill also has two daughters, Alyssa and Kelsie, and four grandchildren (Kamdyn, Fynn Leigh, Rowan and Daniel.

John Nyhaug - Coaching

John Nyhaug was a member and a graduate assistant coach of the dominant Dakota State College Trojan football during the mid- to late 1970’s.  During this period, DSC dominated the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) football.  He started as an undersized linebacker from 1973 to 1976, and was part of the teams that won SDIC conference title three times.

After his playing career was over, he continued at DSC as a graduate assistant coach.  The 1977 Trojan Football team finished the year undefeated and gave the Trojans four conference titles in his five-year span at DSC.

Nyhaug graduated from Baltic High School and continued his education and football career at Dakota State College.  He kicked off his college career as an integral member of the first team to win an SDIC football conference title in program history, finishing with a perfect 5-0 record in league games.

The Trojans style for the 1974 season was characterized by a tenacious defense and an explosive pass attack.  DSC finished third in the a tightly-contested SDIC conference title race.  DSC bounced back to earn back-to-back shares of the SDIC conference title in 1975 and 1976 seasons.

Nyhaug was the team captain for the 1976 DSC football team, which is also being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.  He was a four-year letter-winner and two-year starter at the linebacker position.

He stayed at DSC as the graduate assistant coach for the 1977 undefeated football team.  The squad’s defense led the nation in defense, allowing only 42 points in 10 games (4.2 points per game).

Nyhaug displayed his commitment, loyalty, and leadership during his five years at Dakota State College.  Unfortunately, his contributions to the football program, statistically or quantitatively, cannot be found in any record book, yet what he did for the Trojans was immeasurable.

“His heart, determination, work ethic, and leadership made him a giant among his peers,” stated Nyhaug’s teammates and Hall of Farmers Terry Kasperbauer and Jeff Rodman.  “John had the respect of not only his teammates and our coaches, but of each of our opponents as well.”

“John was a coach on the field,” added Kasperbauer and Rodman.  “He led by example.  John was the first to practice and meetings, had the best understanding of our schemes and our opponents, and most importantly, always played hard, and often played hurt.”

Nyhaug’s experience at Dakota State College carried over to his professional life.  After graduation, he moved to Viborg, S.D. where he taught and coached until his retirement in 2012.  He was the head football coach for 34 years, which included a state title in 2000.  He also coached the Viborg track team for 31 years and his team won the state title in 2012.

Nyhaug has earned several honors throughout his professional career.  He is a member of the South Dakota Football Coaches’ Hall of Fame, the South Dakota High School Coaches’ Hall of Fame, the Baltic High School Hall of Fame, and has received the Distinguished Service Award from the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

John and his wife Connie (who also graduated from DSC) have two daughters – Amanda (graduated from Dakota State in 2002) and Michelle Swanstrom (graduated from DSU in 2004).  John is currently an assistant track coach for Viborg-Hurley.  He enjoys spending time with his family, supporting Viborg-Hurley High School athletics, camping and vacationing in his spare time.

Todd Payer - Football

Todd Payer was one of the key members of the Trojan football team that won four consecutive South Dakota football conference titles from 1975-78.  This group finished with an astounding four-year record of 32 wins, 7 losses and 1 tie.  He was a leader on a tenacious defensive line that dominated the SDIC football conference in the 1970’s.

Payer was a standout on the defensive line for Dakota State.  As an undersized defensive lineman, he utilized his quickness and strength to dominate his opponents.  A little attitude, an aggressive nature, and a ton of talent were the perfect formula to be included as one of the many leaders on a four-year team that dominated on defense.  He was a mainstay on a defensive line that was very stingy in giving up yardage.

Payer came to Dakota State College from Lake Andes, S.D.  He was a member of the 1975 Trojan football team (under the direction of Hall of Famer head coach Joel Swisher) that went undefeated in their final five contests to claim a share of the title.  The Trojans finished the year with an overall record of 6-3-1.

The following season, the Trojans improved their overall record to 8-2 with a No. 9 ranking in the final NAIA Division II national poll.  The Trojans also earned their second straight share of the SDIC conference title.  The defensive unit gave up an average of only 17.3 points per game.

When Payer was a junior, Dakota State completed their finest football season in school history by recording a perfect 10-0 record in 1977.  Head coach Gary Buer guided the Trojans to their third consecutive SDIC conference title, and their fourth title in a span of five years.

In addition, Payer was an integral member of the “Blue” defense that led the nation in defense, allowing only 42 points in 10 games (the Trojans’ defense recorded three shutouts in 1977 and only three times did they give up the most points allowed that year, seven points).

Payer was noted for his pass rush that led the 1978 Trojans’ defensive effort.  DSU allowed an average of only 12.4 points, 98 yards rushing and 108 passing years as the team went 8-2 overall under the guidance of Buer.  The Trojans also clinched their fourth straight SDIC conference title with a perfect 6-0 record.

Payer was the only Trojan receiving unanimous support in the SDIC All-Conference balloting, done by the league coaches in 1978. 

He was named First Team All-Conference, and he received the NAIA District 12 First Team distinction as well as an NAIA Football All-American Honorable Mention.
He was voted by the team as the Co-Most Valuable Defensive Player along with Hall of Famer Russ Schwartz.

After his graduation from Dakota State College, Payer continued his education as he earned a master’s degree in school administration.  He worked in education for 17 years as a teacher, administrator, and coach.  He then worked for Olson Oil for twenty years before his retirement.

Todd and his wife of 39 years, Norma, have two grown children – son Jeremy and daughter Jessica McLaughlin.  They have five grandchildren.  Todd and Norma currently reside in Lennox, S.D.  He is working on his unfinished projects along with some fishing, hunting and sometimes golfing.

1976 Dakota State College Football SDIC Championship Team

Dakota State’s 1976 season was one of the most successful campaigns with an 8-2 overall record, which included a No. 9 ranking in the final NAIA Division II Football national poll.  It was the second consecutive South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) football title for the Trojans, their third conference title in four years span under the direction of DSU Athletic Hall of Fame coach Dr. Joel Swisher.

The Trojans opened the 1976 season on Sept. 4 and stunned their old nemesis Northwestern (Iowa) in Orange City, winning by the score of 20-6.

DSC rolled to its second victory of the season after a 35-14 thrashing over Southwest Minnesota State.  Jeff Rodman ran a school-record 279 yards in the game with five touchdowns as the Trojans broke away from a 7-7 half-time lead.

After taking a week off, Dakota State faced a tough test against Black Hills State (S.D.) in the SDIC football conference opener in Spearfish on Sept. 25.  The Trojans won by the score of 28-20.  A rugged BHSU’s defense held Rodman to just 62 yards, but Marcus Willard caught seven passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

DSC returned home for their next game against rival Huron (S.D.) at Trojan Field on Oct. 2 in the battle of NAIA’s ranked teams.  Dakota State, ranked No. 6 prior to the game, held the No. 12-ranked Huron squad to only 13 points while scoring twice in the final stanza to down the Tribe 28-13. 

The win lifted DSC’s overall record to 4-0.  Nearly 2,700 fans attended the game as part of DSC’s Parents’ Night contest.

Dakota State suffered its first loss of the season 49-24 to Northern State (S.D.) on Oct. 9 in Aberdeen.  The Trojans were ranked as high as No. 2 in the NAIA Division II national poll prior to their setback to the Wolves.

The Trojans would bounce back in the winning column on Oct. 16 with a 40-24 rout at the University of South Dakota/Springfield.  DSC scored every time they got the ball with one exception in the second-half.  Terry Kasperbauer threw a school-record five touchdown passes in the game.  Rodman broke the single-season rushing mark in the sixth game of the year, carrying 221 yards in the game for a total of 1,034 yards in the 1976 season.

Dakota State celebrated its homecoming with a 35-0 shutout win over South Dakota Tech and assured themselves of at least a share of the SDIC Football Conference title.  The Trojans’ defense limited the Hardrockers to just 102 rushing yards and 42 passing yards in the game.

DSC had a 22-6 lead over long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Oct. 30, but the Tigers stormed back by outscoring the Trojans 20-0 in the second-half for a 26-22 victory.  Dakota State shared the SDIC football conference title with DWU.

The Trojans polished off the Sioux Falls College (S.D.) Braves 43-7 in DSC’s final home game of the season at Trojan Field on Nov. 6.  Dakota State racked up 22 first-downs, completed 14 of 23 passes for 318 yards and rushed 57 times for another 176 yards while holding Sioux Falls to just six first-downs and 140 yards of total offense.

Dakota State concluded their 1976 season with a 24-14 victory at Wayne State (Neb.), finishing the season with an 8-2 overall record.

Coach Swisher commented that the key to the Trojans 1976 success was the close-knit relationship of the entire team along with the excellent leadership of senior co-captains Rodman, Kasperbauer and Nyhaug.

The 1976 team smashed twenty-three school records, including four team marks and nineteen individual bests.  The team records included most points scored (299), most first-downs (159), most rushing yards (2,052) and most total offense yards (3,701).

Five Dakota State football players were named to the 1976 All-SDIC team, while six others gained honorable mention.  Rodman was a repeat from the 1975 season at a running back position, while sophomores Perry Scott and Willard were named to the team at offensive tackle and wide receiver spots, respectively.

Mike Freidel gained a linebacker spot on defense as did Jody Boline at defensive end.
Named as honorable mention picks were Lee Threadgold and Kasperbauer, along with Bill Gartland, Rick Rodman, Russel Schwartz, and Lynn Schuett.

Willard set the DSC single-game school record of 158 receiving yards at Black Hills State during the 1976 season.  Brian Lux also added a single-game school record of 23 PAT extra-point kicks, while the rest of the records belonged to the two seniors, Rodman and Kasperbauer.

Jeff Rodman, listed in the 1976 DSC Football Preseason Fact Sheet at 5-foot-11 and 195 lbs., shattered ten school records.  He was named to the NAIA Division II Football All-American First Team.  He led the NAIA scorers with 21 touchdowns for 126 points and was third in the nation in rushing with 136 yards per game (six yards per carry).

Kasperbauer shared the most valuable athlete trophy with Rodman while collecting 1,515 yards.  Kasperbauer’s 262 completions for 4,044 career yards were both records along with five touchdown passes in one game (twice).  He also threw a single-season record of 21 touchdown passes and 49 career touchdown passes in 1976.

Assistant coaches to Swisher were Cliff Anderson, Bruce Bresee, Dick Heiberger, Gary Schumacher, Tom Weatherford, Al Weisbecker and Steve Withorne.

Members of the 1976 DSC football SDIC Championship Team were:  Rob Albaugh, Spencer Albin, Joe Arthur, Clark Baker, Jody Boline, Tim Butler, Jerry Comerford, Steve Cunningham, Kevin Dahl, Kevin Deming, Greg Doctor, Gene Esser, Doug Freidel, Mike Freidel, Marv Engels, Bill Gartland, Jon Gonsor, Dan Haugland, Bill Hurley, Randy Janssen, Mark Jensen, Dennis Jewett, Terry Kasperbauer, Mike Kerns, Doug Lather, Todd Leuer, Brian Lux, Dale Martin, Bill McQueen, Kim Mebius, Mark Merrigan, Kim Nelson, Tom Newman, John Nyhaug, Bob Osterday, Todd Payer, Jim Poss, Kevin Rau, Jeff Rodman, Rick Rodman, Lynn Schuett, Russ Schwartz, Dan Schutt, Dave Scott, Perry Scott, Jim Sedlacek, Tom Starr, Mike Stevenson, Gregg Struwe, Greg Swanson, Lee Threadgold, Rick Tibbetts, Jim Valentine, Randy Voss, Marcus Willard, and Todd Zeller.  DSC Athletic Trainer was Kathie Courtney and Scott Wood was the equipment manager.

1976 Dakota State College Football Schedule
Date	Opponent	Result/Score
Sept. 4	@ Northwestern (Iowa)	W, 20-6
Sept. 9	SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE	W, 35-14
Sept. 25	@ Black Hills State (S.D.)*	W, 28-20
Oct. 2	HURON (S.D.)*	W, 28-13
Oct. 9	@ Northern State (S.D.)	L, 24-49
Oct. 16	@ South Dakota/Springfield*	W, 40-24
Oct. 23	SOUTH DAKOTA TECH*	W, 35-0
Oct. 30	DAKOTA WESLEYAN (S.D.)*	L, 22-26
Nov. 6	SIOUX FALLS (S.D.)*	W, 43-7
Nov. 13	@ Wayne State (Neb.)	W, 24-14