Anundsons called to SMSU ‘Hall of Fame’
Kevin and Karla Anundson of Minneota will be among those inducted into the Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Hall of Honor at a banquet on Saturday, Feb. 2.
“It’s an honor that people recognize what we do and appreciate it,” said Kevin.
The Anundsons, who are being inducted into the Hall of Honor in the Community Members category, are both former student-athletes at SMSU.
Kevin (1978-82) played football for the Mustangs, while Karla (1986-87) was a cross-country runner. They have been avid supporters of SMSU and are also active members of the Mustangs Booster Club.
Each week for the past 15 years, the Anundsons have been coordinating meetings for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at SMSU.
The FCA is an international non-profit Christian sports ministry founded in 1954, with staff offices throughout the United States and abroad.
The goal of FCA is to unite two passions; sports and faith, to impact the world for Christ. The Anundsons arrange for a speaker to come in and talk to the FCA group each week.
The FCA members also have discussions, play games and enjoy a meal together. The Anundsons prepare the meal each week at their own expense for the approximately 80-120 FCA members that attend.
“We don’t do this for recognition,” said Kevin, humbly.
“We do this for Christ.” Anundson said the biggest reward is not being recognized at a banquet, but being told they made a difference in an athlete’s life.
“We just got an email from someone we had in FCA eight years ago,” Anundson said.
“He is getting married in Texas and invited us to their wedding. He said we made a big impact on his life and he was looking forward to us meeting his new bride.”
The Anundsons are also recipients of the 2013 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year award, which annually is given to someone from among the 16 schools represented in the NSIC – SMSU, Augustana, Bemidji State, Concordia-St. Paul, University of Mary, Minnesota State-Mankato, Minnesota State-Moorhead, University of Minnesota-Crookston, University of Minn. Duluth, Minot State, Northern State, St. Cloud State, University of Sioux Falls, Upper Iowa University, Wayne State, and Winona State.
For the past 10 years, Kevin has also volunteered at SMSU football games as a sideline ball handler. “Basically, I’m the oldest ‘ball boy’ in the conference,” he laughed. “I take care of the balls during the game. I roam up and down the field and follow the action during the game. It’s the best seat in the house.”
The festivities, which will be held at the Upper Level Conference Center at SMSU, begin with a social time at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and the induction ceremonies beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Also being inducted into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor on Feb. 2 will be: swimmer Dave Broyles (1971-75), wrestler Leon Bullerman (1989-91), men's basketball players Chad Koenen (1998-2002) and his brother Scott Koenen (1998-2001), baseball player Mark Lickfelt (1995-98), women's golfer/basketball player Erin (Oakland) Dauwalter (2003-07), and the 1993 and 1994 SMSU softball teams. The inductees were selected by a 12-member committee from a group of nominations.
These inductees bring the membership into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor to 98 individuals and 14 teams. The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor was established in 1992 and inducts new members every two years.
The Athletics Hall of Honor is displayed in the lobby of the R/A Facility, or can be viewed online at SMSUmustangs.com/hallofhonor.
Tickets for the lunch and ceremony are $20 per person. For reservations, call the SMSU athletics office at 507-537-7271.