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.
Dawson Portner (2025) - Baseball
The 2025 Dusty Andersen Memorial award recipient is Dawson Portner 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.
Portner was a senior third baseman for DSU baseball team. He served on the Athletics Director Captain's Council. He completed all community service projects during his four years at Dakota State University. He served on the baseball teams' leadership for two years.
Portner was a three-time NAIA Scholar Athlete and four-time North Star Athletic Association Scholar Athlete at DSU. He was a two-time team captain and four-year starter for the Trojans.
He played 151 career games at Dakota State, holding a batting average of .293 and a slugging percentage of .423. He also recorded 44 hit-by-pitches and hit 23 doubles and 11 home runs. He holds the fifth all-time in runs scored with 113 runs (scored 47 runs during the 2024 season, which is tied for eight most runs scored in a single season).
| Year |
Name |
Sport(s) |
| 2025 |
Dawson Portner |
Baseball |
| 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 |
