BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- Mark Sybilrud of Minnesota State will be honored with the NSIC's Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award during the annual NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday, July 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South in Bloomington, Minn.
The Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the singular commitment of former NSIC coach and Athletic Administrator Noel Olson and his advancement of NSIC visibility, credibility, and excellence throughout the nation during his tenure in the league. The award is intended to honor individuals who, as volunteers, have made significant contributions to the NSIC as a whole.
Sybilrud is the first representative of MSU to be recognized for this award since the Mavericks rejoined the NSIC in 2008.
For more than 20 years, Sybilrud has been assisting MSU as an official and clerk for the track and field meets. Beyond the track, he has spearheaded the current scholarship enhancement alumni group that oversees raising money to endow athlete scholarships for the men's and women's track and field/cross country teams at Minnesota State.
Along with his work with the MSU track and field programs, Sybilrud has also taught for more than 30 years in the same school district and has worked for 35 years as a basketball official. He contributes to the advancements of the NSIC visibility, credibility and excellence throughout the Mankato community as he has worked hundreds of high school and college meets, including more than 25 NSIC Track & Field Championships. He also officiated at the 2008 and 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships hosted by Minnesota State.
From 1978-82, Sybilrud was a three-time All-American at Minnesota State, with two coming in cross country and one in track. Over the last 40 years, he still maintains a consistent presence, giving back to a program that he calls his own. Syblirud and he wife Kristy are often seen at a multitude of MSU events around campus supporting the Mavericks. In 2009, he received the Jim Schaffer Service Award from Minnesota State and was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in the "builders" category in 2016.
To attend the NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet go to www.NorthernSun.org/HOFBanquet and fill out the online form. The price to attend the banquet (including meal) is $42.00 (plus processing) - please register by July 1 as space is limited.
Additional Information about Noel Olson
Noel Olson was the men's basketball coach at St. Cloud State University and was name NIC Coach of the Year during the 1969-70 and 1975-76 seasons after leading the Huskies to NIC Championships. In 1976 he became the athletic director at SCSU. Olson passed away in May of 2019 at the age of 87.
On a periodic basis, one or more individuals receive the award in appreciation of efforts made to support the NSIC activities and/or athletic programs within any NSIC member institution(s) or the NSIC conference office. The award recipients are nominated by each of the NSIC's 15 institutions and selected by the NSIC Hall of Fame Committee.
Past Noel Olson Award Winners
2008-09 Roger Haug - UMary, Rocco Ierino - UMD & Dr. Harry Jasinski - NSU
2009-10 Dale Haagenson - UMD
2010-11 Paul and Barb Halstenson - AUGIE & Ken Mukomela - SMSU
2011-12 Neal Kalberer - UMary
2012-13 Kevin and Karla Anundson - SMSU
2013-14 David and Carol Drown - SMSU & Brice Wilkinson - WSU
2014-15 Dr. Keith Marek - BSU
2015-16 Marv Bachmeier - UMC
2016-17 Lee Storbeck & Sue Wahl Storbeck - SCSU
2017-18 Randy Bowen - BSU & Gene and Jan Casey - WSC
2018-19 Pete Roberts - AUGIE & Dawn Schenk - SCSU
2019-20 Not Awarded
2020-21 Not Awarded
2021-22 Don Williams - UMary
2022-23 Rita Vandeputte - SMSU
2023-24 Mark Sybilrud - MSU
