NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PROGRAM
Northern State Athletics Under Coach Budig's Program
Northern State athletes have enjoyed success using Coach B's strength and conditioning program. Here are Northern State athletes that have furthered their careers at the professional level after training with Coach B's.
Casey Knutson - Football
HOUSTON - The Houston Texans announced that they have signed 14 players to future contracts. Former Northern State offensive lineman Casey Knutson was one of those players, as he inked a one-year contract with the Texans. Knutson marks the second player from Northern State to sign an NFL contract in the past year (Ronnie Cruz – KC Chiefs).
Knutson (6-4, 290, Shakopee, Minn.) started at offensive line during the 2000 through 2003 season for the Wolves. Knutson was a part of a Northern State offensive that led the nation (DII) in total offense in 2003 as they averaged over 535 ypg and 205 ypg on the ground.
“This is a great occasion for me to fulfill a dream of mine. I am excited for the opportunity to further my career and make a better life for my family and me.” Casey and his wife Jenny are excepting a daughter this April.
Knutson plans on playing for NFL Europe this coming season. The Texans have not yet allocated Knutson to a team for this spring.
Over the past year Knutson has been training with Northern State Strength & Conditioning Coach Derik Budig. “Training with Coach B has been a major factor in my success,” Knutson says.
“Casey has put in the time and effort over the last year to be given this opportunity to play at the next level. I wish him all the best,” commented Budig.
Deacon Burns - Baseball
Northern State University’s Deacon Burns was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball draft yesterday (June 8th, 2004) as the 781st overall pick. Burns, also an outstanding football player at Northern State, is expected to report to Fort Myers, FL on June 13th to sign a contract with the Twins to play in a Gulf Coast league.
“I am really excited about being drafted. This is something that I have wanted to do for a long time,” Burns said. “I wasn’t expecting to be drafted by the Twins, but I am delighted to be part of a winning organization with such a notable history,” Burns added.
On the diamond this past season Burns was named NSIC Co-MVP and First Team All-Region. He set/tied two NSIC league records with 13 home runs and 91 total bases. (Tim Richt of Wayne State, co-player of year, also had 13 home runs and 91 total bases). Burns also led the NSIC in batting average (.495), hits (45), runs scored (37), slugging percentage (1.000), and on base percentage (.548). He was also third in RBIs (34) and stolen bases (9-10).
Burns will forgo his final year of baseball and his final two years of football at Northern State to follow his dream. “We are thrilled for Deacon. This is not what the football team wanted to hear, but we are excited when a person is able to follow his dream. We are extremely happy for him and his family and support them 100%,” commented Northern State University Head Football Coach Ken Heupel.
Burns had made a name for himself on the football field as a return specialist and was predicted to be a top running back for the Wolves this season.
For the Major League Baseball draft release visit their website:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/draftday/y2004/tracker_round_26_1.html
Ronnie Cruz - Football
Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Wednesday that the club has signed RB Ronnie Cruz to the developmental squad. To make room for Cruz the Chiefs have released WR Jeris McIntyre from the eight-man practice squad.
Cruz (6-0, 237) appeared in 22 games over two seasons with NCAA Division II Northern State in Aberdeen, South Dakota after spending two successful campaigns at Mendocino Community College. Cruz racked up 2,368 yards rushing on 440 carries (5.4 avg.) with 25 TDs, as well as 39 catches for 375 yards (9.6) and two scores at NSU. The Lakeport, California native was named football MVP and student-athlete of the year as a prep at Clear Lake High School.
McIntyre (6-0, 203) played in 49 games (13 starts) at Auburn, catching 69 passes for 973 yards (14.1 avg.) with four touchdowns. He saw action in 13 contests (nine starts) as a senior, recording a career-high 41 receptions for 621 yards (15.1 avg.) with three TDs. The wide receiver saw action in 13 games (three starts) as a junior, catching 10 passes for 129 yards (12.9 avg.) with one TD. McIntyre was a prep standout at Catholic High School in Tampa, Florida.
Release courtesy of the Kansas City Chief Media Relations.
Sundance Wicks - Men's Basketball
After completing his collegiate career at NSU, Sundance Wicks played last season professionally in Sweden’s top division for the Sodertalje Kings. While helping teach younger Swedish players the skills of the game, he helped to lead the Kings to the semifinals of the Swedish cup. Before entering the professional ranks, Sundance played at NSU on back to back conference championship teams in the 2001-02 and 02-03 seasons. Sundance is currently in the process of obtaining his masters degree here at NSU, while being a graduate assistant for Coach Budig in the Strength and Conditioning department. Sundance is also a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s basketball program and is co-hosting the NSU TV Sports Show.
NSIC Team Champions:
2005 Men's Basketball - NSIC Tournament Champions
2005 Men's Indoor Track & Field - NSIC Champions
2004 Cross Country - NSIC Champions
2004 Football - Mineral Water Bowl Participants
2002-03 Men's Basketball - Regular Season Champions
2003-04 Men's Basketball - NSIC Tournament Champions
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Northern State University (located in Aberdeen, SD) is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of t
he Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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