GRAND FORKS, N.D. – It was a special morning on the campus of the University of North Dakota on Friday, as hundreds gathered for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center.
The facility, which is connected to the Frederick "Fritz" D. Pollard Athletic Center, now stands completed as a testament to what UND President Dr. Andrew Armacost dubbed "The Year of Community" in 2025-26.
"You now look at the aerial views and you see the ground views of what this whole complex looks like, and at the center of it is this project today to be celebrated," said Armacost. "This year, the year of community, this is where we come together. Look around at all the people who came here as a community to celebrate this important space. Thank you to all who made this happen."
President Armacost was joined by UND Director of Athletics Bill Chaves and Nodak Insurance Company Chairman of the Board Eric Aasmundstad in giving remarks, while UND Alumni Association Vice President of Development Mike Mannausau provided the opening and closing remarks.
"This vision is a shared with many other alumni and friends as well, who poured their hearts and resources into making this project the reality that we're sitting in today," said Mannausau. "Their contributions signify more than just financial support; they symbolize a belief in the transformational power of education and athletics."
The Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center features new team locker rooms for football, softball and men's and women's cross country/track & field, as well as a state-of-the-art weight room and sports medicine area. The facility is also connected to the Hyslop at Memorial Village via an all-weather indoor Hawkway.
"Simply stated, the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center is a game changer for UND Athletics," said Chaves. "All of our 375 student-athletes will benefit in some way, shape or form with this facility. So many people have my thanks. It took a village, it took everyone, it took the community."
The event, which took place inside largest weight room in the Dakotas, featured refreshments that mimicked the state-of-the-art nutrition that UND student-athletes receive in the facility as well as guided tours of all the special amenities the building has to offer.
"It's beautiful," said Aasmundstad. "We're truly as a company blessed to be part of this. This facility is North Dakota, the best-of-the-best, and it's just a resounding theme throughout our state."
Mannausau closed the event with remarks, citing the importance of this completed facility standing on the former grounds of Memorial Stadium – UND's first fundraising effort over a century ago.
"We do. We lead. We are Forever UND."
The facility, which is connected to the Frederick "Fritz" D. Pollard Athletic Center, now stands completed as a testament to what UND President Dr. Andrew Armacost dubbed "The Year of Community" in 2025-26.
"You now look at the aerial views and you see the ground views of what this whole complex looks like, and at the center of it is this project today to be celebrated," said Armacost. "This year, the year of community, this is where we come together. Look around at all the people who came here as a community to celebrate this important space. Thank you to all who made this happen."
President Armacost was joined by UND Director of Athletics Bill Chaves and Nodak Insurance Company Chairman of the Board Eric Aasmundstad in giving remarks, while UND Alumni Association Vice President of Development Mike Mannausau provided the opening and closing remarks.
"This vision is a shared with many other alumni and friends as well, who poured their hearts and resources into making this project the reality that we're sitting in today," said Mannausau. "Their contributions signify more than just financial support; they symbolize a belief in the transformational power of education and athletics."
The Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center features new team locker rooms for football, softball and men's and women's cross country/track & field, as well as a state-of-the-art weight room and sports medicine area. The facility is also connected to the Hyslop at Memorial Village via an all-weather indoor Hawkway.
"Simply stated, the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center is a game changer for UND Athletics," said Chaves. "All of our 375 student-athletes will benefit in some way, shape or form with this facility. So many people have my thanks. It took a village, it took everyone, it took the community."
The event, which took place inside largest weight room in the Dakotas, featured refreshments that mimicked the state-of-the-art nutrition that UND student-athletes receive in the facility as well as guided tours of all the special amenities the building has to offer.
"It's beautiful," said Aasmundstad. "We're truly as a company blessed to be part of this. This facility is North Dakota, the best-of-the-best, and it's just a resounding theme throughout our state."
Mannausau closed the event with remarks, citing the importance of this completed facility standing on the former grounds of Memorial Stadium – UND's first fundraising effort over a century ago.
"We do. We lead. We are Forever UND."
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