NSIC SUMMER KICKOFF EVENT REGISTRATION
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – David and Carol Drown, long-time active members of the Mustang Booster Club and supporters of Southwest Minnesota State University athletics, are two of the recipients of the 2014 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the NSIC.
David and Carol will be honored with the award during the 15th annual NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet on Wednesday, July 9, at the Best Western Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, Minn. Brice Wilkinson, the long-time public address announcer at Winona State University is also receiving the award.
The Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the singular commitment of former NSIC coach and athletic administrator Noel Olson to the advancement of conference's visibility, credibility and excellence throughout the nation during his tenure in the league.
Both David and Carol have been active members of the Southwest Minnesota State athletic community, involved not only in Mustang Booster Club activities, but also with many programs involving SMSU student-athletes, coaches and staff members.
David has been an active member of the Mustang Booster Club since 1970, including serving a term as Booster Club President. In 1986, David helped organize the SMSU Celebrity Golf Classic, which still serves as one of the largest scholarship fundraisers for the SMSU Athletics Department. He was instrumental in securing celebrities for the tournament - which included professional athletes and entertainers - for more than 20 years. David and Carol have been involved in every tournament the past 28 years and for their dedication to the annual event, the fundraiser was renamed the "David and Carol Drown SMSU Golf Classic" in 2011.
David was a key organizer in the annual Mustang Booster Club "Friends of the Mustangs" dinner, which featured a celebrity speaker to help raise scholarship dollars for SMSU student-athletes. He was also influential in forming the "Mustang Golf League" which is a weekly informal fun day of golf that allows booster club members and local business people the opportunity to get to know athletic coaches and staff members on a more personal basis.
David and Carol have hosted numerous Mustang Booster Club gatherings in their home, including post game and coaching candidate socials. David was inducted in the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 1996 and he has also served on the SMSU Foundation Board of Directors.
David and Carol Drown are the fourth and fifth individuals with SMSU ties to earn the Noel Olson Award, which was started in 2009. SMSU supporters Kevin and Karla Anundson received the award last summer, while another SMSU supporter - Ken Mukolmela – earned the honor in 2011.
To attend the NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet go to NorthernSun.org/SummerKickoff, and fill out the online form. The price to attend the banquet (including meal) is $30 - register by June 27 as space is limited.
