Christianson inducted into Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame

Mayville State University held their Homecoming 2022 on October 7 and 8. The schedule of activities included recognizing the Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees. Among those recognized was Rick Christianson.

Christianson said, "I have been blessed with the most unbelievable honor becoming a member of Mayville State Coaches Hall of Fame."

"Thank you to all of you that made this possible including all of the coaches when I played, all of my assistants and opposing coaches, all of my players and players on the other side. I would also like to thank Athletic Directors, the school, parents, communities, friends, and family," he stated.

Christianson continued, "My number one supporter was my wife, Char. She amazed me even more following her stroke and the recovery she was making. When I think about all of her hard work with all of her therapy, I realized she wasn't working so hard at it for herself, she was doing it for me, her kids, grandkids, friends and her place of work, because she always did anything for others first. Isn't that what life is all about, becoming the best person you can be in spite of all the adversity we may face?"

Rick Christianson has been a fixture on the central North Dakota high school scene for 37 years as an instructor and coach. The former Comet baseball player (1979-84) has coached all levels of baseball, from T-ball to American Legion, as well being a head girls basketball coach from 1984-1991 and assistant boys basketball coach from 1984-2005.

He was especially successful as a head baseball coach, leading his teams to 13 regional championships and six state tournament berths.

He was named regional Coach of the Year in baseball seven times, the District Coach of the Year for girls' basketball twice, and was the NDHSCA Coach of the Year for baseball in 2001.

He was highly effective as a role model and mentor, teaching both players and his classroom students to participate "the right way," to want to listen, learn and work hard to become the best teammate and person they could be.

An example of his influence is that his Midkota baseball team was awarded the National Federation/NDHSAA Award of Excellence for Exemplary Display of Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity.

Christianson helped create the Iron Fist award that honors a high school baseball player who has had to fight through adversity, have good moral character and be a team player.

Fittingly, in 2021 the Region 3 Athletic directors and coaches presented the award to Christianson as well as to a student, acknowledging that the coach had experienced health adversity in his family.