Robert 'Dusty' Andersen Memorial Award
The Robert "Dusty" Andersen Memorial Award is presented in memory of Dusty to the outstanding athlete in baseball or basketball.
The Dusty Andersen Memorial Award is presented each year to an outstanding male basketball or baseball player who exhibits active participation in campus activities. The award is named for Dusty Andersen, who was a letter-winner in both basketball and baseball at Dakota State from 1966 through 1969. In addition to his athletic involvement, Dusty was active as President of the Varsity Club and was a member of the Student Senate, the band, and the Physical Education Majors Club. Dusty died in an automobile accident on Homecoming in 1969.
Sam Tyrpa (2024) - Baseball
The 2024 Dusty Andersen Memorial award recipient is Sam Tyrpa of the DSU baseball team.
The award is presented each year to an outstanding male basketball or baseball player who exhibits active participation in campus activities. The award is named Dusty Andersen, who was a letter-winner in both basketball and baseball at Dakota State from 1966 through 1969. In addition to his athletic involvement, Dusty was active as President of the Varsity Club and was a member of the Student Senate, the band, and the physical education major club.
Tyrpa was listed on the NAIA Baseball Preseason All-America starting pitcher prior to the 2024 season. He was named to the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher-of-the-Year and NAIA All-America Honorable Mention during the 2023 season.
He is a two-time All-Conference First Team member. He established a new single season strikeouts record for the second straight season, recording 99 strikeouts compared to 98 strikeouts during the 2023 season. He also holds the second all-time strikeouts record with 197 strikeouts.
Tyrpa finished the 2024 season with a record of 8-3 on the pitching mound and posted an earned run average (ERA) of 3.57 (allowed 32 earned runs in 80 2/3 innings).
He also received academic honors including College Sports Communicators All-District Team, NAIA Scholar Athlete, and NSAA Scholar Athlete.
| Year |
Name |
Sport(s) |
| 2024 |
Sam Tyrpa |
Baseball |
| 2023 |
Mason Macaluso |
Baseball |
| 2022 |
Mason Macaluso |
Baseball |
| 2021 |
Samuel Drummond |
Baseball |
| 2020 |
Josh McGreal |
Men's Basketball |
| 2019 |
Justin Folkers |
Men's Basketball |
| 2018 |
Brendon Boomsma |
Men's Basketball |
| 2017 |
Tanner Heiser |
Men's Basketball |
| 2016 |
Kyle Kilgore |
Men's Basketball |
| 2015 |
Derek Meger |
Men's Basketball |
| 2014 |
Jordan Snyder |
Men's Basketball |
| 2013 |
Luke Lamb |
Men's Basketball |
| 2012 |
Spencer Adams |
Men's Basketball |
| 2011 |
Bryce Snyder |
Men's Basketball |
| 2010 |
Brian Bolin |
Men's Basketball |
| 2009 |
Ryan Breitling |
Baseball |
| 2008 |
Greg Biagi |
Baseball |
| 2007 |
Joe Backus |
Men's Basketball |
| 2006 |
Terry McGowan |
Baseball |
| 2005 |
Ryan Burggraff |
Men's Basketball |
| 2005 |
Josh Cuffe |
Baseball |
| 2004 |
Kyle Konopasek |
Men's Basketball |
| 2003 |
Aaron Vogt |
Baseball |
| 2002 |
J.F. Jensen |
Men's Basketball |
| 2001 |
Chad Kurtenbach |
Men's Basketball |
| 2000 |
Jason Smidt |
Men's Basketball |
| 1999 |
Jamie Mallery |
Men's Basketball |
| 1998 |
Devin Alfson |
Baseball |
| 1997 |
Bill Koerner |
Men's Basketball |
| 1996 |
Justin Heckenlaible |
Men's Basketball |
| 1995 |
Joe Hall |
Men's Basketball |
| 1994 |
C. Michael Anderson |
Men's Basketball |
| 1993 |
Kevin Smith |
Men's Basketball |
| 1992 |
Bruce Koele |
Men's Basketball |
| 1991 |
Rob Grady |
Men's Basketball |
| 1990 |
Allan Evans |
Men's Basketball |
| 1989 |
Harold Lance II |
Men's Basketball |
| 1988 |
Paul Dwyer |
Men's Basketball |
| 1987 |
Rick Dunlap |
Men's Basketball |
| 1986 |
Rick Dunlap |
Men's Basketball |
| 1985 |
Tim Asche |
Men's Basketball |
| 1984 |
Todd Cavanaugh |
Men's Basketball |
| 1983 |
Kirk Knight |
Men's Basketball |
| 1982 |
Randy Schaefer |
Men's Basketball |
| 1981 |
Brian Jacobsen |
Baseball |
| 1980 |
Brian Jacobsen |
Baseball |
| 1979 |
Paul Park |
Men's Basketball |
| 1978 |
Kim Nelson |
Baseball |
| 1977 |
Terry Kasperbauer |
Baseball |
| 1976 |
Mike Nelson |
Men's Basketball |
| 1975 |
Warren Quail |
Men's Basketball |
| 1974 |
Ted Poncelet |
Baseball |
| 1973 |
Mike Nelson |
Men's Basketball |
| 1972 |
Tom Shea |
Baseball |
| 1971 |
Dave Gassman |
Baseball |
| 1970 |
Mike Alberts |
Men's Basketball |
