MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State head athletics equipment manager Dan Rickbeil has been named the recipient of the 2024 Tony Anderson Award.
 
"Dan is more than deserving of this national recognition by his peers, as we have long known Dan's capacity as an outstanding athletic equipment manager," said Minnesota State Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman. "His passion, loyalty and commitment are among the many positive attributes Dan brings to his position. He proudly serves our coaches and student-athletes and we are grateful for the dedicated service he provides each and every day." 
 
The award is given annually to the most outstanding equipment manager in AEMA's District V, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Ontario. The award is named after Tony Anderson, a founding member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA). Anderson was an athletic equipment manager at Indiana University until passing away at an early age.
 
The winner of the Tony Anderson Award must be nominated and is voted on by peers. Rickbeil is one of nine district winners. The district winners will be narrowed down to three nominations for the Glenn Sharp Award, given annually to the national Equipment Manager of the Year. Sharp served as the Athletic Equipment Manager at Bowling Green State University for 24 years before retiring in 1981. Sharp was one of the founders of the AEMA and was named Equipment Manager of the Year in 1978.
 
"To think about this award and all of the other equipment managers that deserve to be recognized, I am honored to be nominated," Rickbeil reflected. "People often tell me that I do more than I need to for our athletes. Maybe they're right, but I feel like I can do more and I have fun doing it. One of my favorite memories is surprising the football team with the gameday change to white facemasks for Homecoming in 2018. If athletes and coaches continue to see and appreciate what we do and the time we spend, then I will continue to enjoy what I do. In this profession, it's not just equipment management. It's preparing athletes to succeed."
 
Rickbeil was appointed as Minnesota State's athletics equipment manager in 2006-07 and is responsible for providing all the equipment needs for MSU's 20 sports programs. He and his wife Angie live in Mankato.