Enol Gilles in the Forum paper today

The American dream: The son of immigrants from Haiti who found self-made success, MSUM's well-rounded running back is heart and soul of team

-Eric Peterson, In Forum

When Enol Gilles needs inspiration, he thinks about his parents.  His dad, Cilas, and mother, Rosenie, both came to the United States from Haiti with little more than the clothes on their backs.  “My dad came here with 20 American dollars,” Enol said. “Now he owns his own construction business. That’s my motivation right there.”

A senior running back at Minnesota State Moorhead, Enol Gilles is working on his own success story. He’s part athlete, part student and part entrepreneur.  Gilles leads the Dragons in rushing with 217 yards and one touchdown on 80 attempts. MSUM hosts the University of Mary at 2 p.m. Saturday at Alex Nezmek Stadium.

“The way that he plays is with so much heart, you would think that he’s got the heart of an elephant inside of him,” MSUM senior nose guard Jon Swart said. “He brings everybody up and he’s a great leader.”  Gilles is also driven off the field. A construction management major, Gilles finds time to design Web sites. He designed and maintains the official Web site for Indianapolis Colts receiver Pierre Garcon, pierregarconlive.com.

Gilles also runs Web sites that sell products ranging from NBA gear and books to infant clothing.  Garcon and Enol have been friends since the two went to high school in Florida at John I. Leonard, which is located in the West Palm Beach area.  

“He’s someone you want to be around,” Garcon said. “Whatever he focuses on, he’s going to do what it takes to get it done.”

In his fifth year with the program, Gilles is one of seven seniors on the MSUM roster.  The 5-foot-6, 170-pound Gilles has led the Dragons in rushing in his three previous seasons. He rushed for a career-high 899 yards on 186 attempts his sophomore season.

“He kind of exemplifies, ‘The Little Engine That Could.’ ” Swart said.  “He’s not a very big guy in stature, but he’s worked his butt off in the weight room to get as big as he can. No matter what the score is … he’s always trying his hardest. He’s always up at that level, bringing the team with him.”

Gilles said while some people may underestimate him due to his size, he uses that as motivation.  “Even when I’m playing on the field I don’t feel small until I watch myself on film,” he said. “Then I’m like, ‘Damn, I am small.’ … It just makes you want to work harder.”

Gilles learned that drive from his parents. Enol started to appreciate what they had to overcome on one of his trips to Haiti.  “When they actually brought me back to Haiti where they came from, it was shacks,” Enol said. “They brought me places like where their hometown was and like you couldn’t even get there sometimes because the roads were so bad.”

Cilas started working in the fields when he first came to Florida, Enol said. But that never prevented Cilas and Rosenie from providing.  “Whenever I think I have it real bad, I’m like, ‘Man, my parents overcame way more than that.’ ” Enol said. “They worked hard to make sure we got clothes and they worked hard to make sure we got fed. You could never tell that we were struggling because whatever we needed, they provided for us.”

Cilas now has his own construction company.  Enol designed the Web site for Cilas Concrete Construction, his father’s business.  Enol, who has passed two of three sections of the general contractor test, is planning to work with his father when he graduates.

“He really has a good heart,” Cilas Gilles said. “He always tries to help people.”

Enol said when he graduates he will be the first male in his family to earn a college degree. His older sister, Mabelise, has earned her degree and is a grade school teacher in Orlando, Fla.

“He’s overcome being away from home for an extended period of time,” Dragons coach Damon Tomeo said. “He is truly an astounding young man. … He’s found a way to learn in the classroom, learn on the field and to develop and grow. He’s set himself up for the next phase and graduating.”

Dragons return home vs. U of Mary

Saturday October 10th, 2009, 2:00pm Kickoff

Alex Nemzek Stadium @ MSUM

The Dragon enter the game 2-4 on the season coming off a road loss at defending national champ MN Duluth.  Mary (3-3) visited CSP last weekend and came away with a 27-7 win.  

This game named in 2006 the "Battle for the Paddle" by both schools, honors the winner the newest traveling trophy in Division II football.  A rivalry that is only 3 years old, the University of Mary holds a 3-0 advantage over Moorhead.  A missed Field Goal as time expired sent the game to overtime in 2008 and Mary came away with a victory.

Go Dragons!!!

Dragon Alum Ray Kavangh

Ray Wayne Kavanagh, 75, of Bemidji and Tucson, Ariz., died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the United Methodist Church in Bemidji with Rev. Eric Hucke officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, with military honors by the American Legion Post 14 of Bemidji.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Abbott, Dave Anderson, Gary Breitag, Phil Buhn, Butch Froiland, Earl Gangness, Jim Grant, Roger Haire, Ron Krogsrud, DeWayne Kurpius, Jack Luoma, Don Meacham, William Okerman, Dave Pederson, Bruce Campbell and John Davies.

He was born July 7, 1934, to Emerson and Ellen (Johnson) Kavanagh in Appleton, Minn. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1952 where his basketball team went to the State BB Tourney in 1952. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1996 and his master’s degree from Bemidji State University. He married Vera Jean Way June 9, 1957, in Hancock, Minn. He served with the US Army from 1957-1961. He was a teacher, activities coordinator and coach for Benson High School, Roseau High School and Bemidji High School. He was the District 29 Football Coach of the Year in 1975 and Minnesota Shriners North-South All-Star game coach in 1976. He coached the Bemidji High School football team for 14 years with a record of 94-41. In 2007, he was inducted to the Minnesota State University at Moorhead Athletic Hall of Fame as a football and baseball player.

He is survived by his wife of Bemidji; children, Debra (David) Holder of Richmond, Minn., Beth (Eric) Tollefson of Moorhead, Minn., Kent Kavanagh of Bemidji and John Kavanagh of St. Paul; five grandchildren; Melissa and Meagan Hertzog, three siblings, Vivian (LeRoy) Swenson of Appleton, Minn., Loren (Bonnie) Kavanagh of Appleton and Yvonne (Richard) Hagstrom of Alexandria, Minn.

Larry Scott in the Star Tribune

Larry Scott was honored by MSU Moorhead for his 40 years as sports information director.

For the past 30 years, Minnesota State Moorhead has annually inducted new members into its athletic hall of fame.

But this year, the school did not have a new class for its hall of fame. Instead the school decided to honor Larry Scott.

The school chose to put the spotlight on Scott for his tireless behind-the-scenes work.

Scott, 63, who recently retired after serving 40 years as the school's sports information director, was honored last Saturday as part of the Dragons' homecoming weekend.

On his last official day of work, Scott was treated with a dinner at the 50-yard line of Alex Nemzek Stadium, the Dragons' home field. The stadium was an appropriate place for Scott's last meal as a Dragons employee. He attended every Dragons football game from 1967, when he was a student at Moorhead, through his retirement in June -- 427 consecutive games. Only four college sports information directors are believed to have surpassed 400 consecutive football games.

"Scotty's genuine interest in the thousands of student- athletes that he has covered over the past four decades will always stand out in my mind," MSU Moorhead athletic director Doug Peters said. "Even in retirement his focus continues to be on promoting our great university, outstanding student- athletes and the accomplishments of the Dragons."

University of Minnesota associate athletic director Marc Ryan said Scott deserves the praise.

"I am personally indebted for his leadership and guidance," said Ryan, a former Dragons student-athlete who interned under Scott. "I owe a lot to him. His loyalty to the school and Dragon athletics speaks for itself. It's neat that he is getting these accolades. He richly deserves them. It was never about him. Without a doubt, he is one of the best of the business."

Scott, who was elected to the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 1991, also served as the sports information director for the NIC (now NSIC) Conference for 25 years.

"In high school, Bob Peterson was my English and journalism teacher," said Scott, who was raised in Alexandria, Minn. "He went on to be the SID at the University of Minnesota. He was always so kind to me and was my mentor."

Despite his retirement, Scott will continue his association with the school.

"It's a blessing to still have a connection with the school," Scott said. "I'll volunteer and do what I can."

JOEL RIPPEL - Star Tribune

Conference Player of the Week Selections

I was recently asked how we get a player selected for the NSIC Conference player of the week.  After each game, our staff nominates an offensive, defensive, and special teams player.  The conference compiles this information and selects the most eligible from all submissions.  Most times, players are chosen for tremendous effort toward the team win.  

We look forward to many more. . .

Go Dragons!!!

NSIC Player of the Week

NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week - #35 Jimmie Mattson 

(K/P, 6-1, 170, Fr., Eleva, Wis. / Eau Claire Memorial HS)

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Mattson drilled a 38-yarder field goal in the third quarter to put the Dragons up 17-13 on Minnesota, Crookston. He was also connected on all three extra point kicks for total of 6 points in the 24-13 win. On kickoffs, Mattson also kicked five times for 287 yards, averaging 57.4 yards per kickoff.

Go Dragons!!!

On-Line Auction is up and Running

Click here to see the items on our Athletic Department on-line auction.  All proceeds supports MSUM Athletic Scholarships.

Check out this item. . . you need this in your office!

Go Dragons!!!

Super Bowl Champion Speaks at MSU Moorhead

Moorhead, Minn…Pat Richie owns three Super Bowl rings. But not for his contributions on the field. Instead, the San Francisco 49ers awarded him Super Bowl rings three times in recognition of his contribution to the team’s success after Super Bowls XXIII, XXIV and XXIX (23, 24, 29).

Richie served as chaplain of the San Francisco 49ers during the 1980s and 90s. He also served with the San Francisco Giants and San Jose Sharks.

He’ll talk to students, faculty and community members on ethical leadership and communication during Minnesota State University Moorhead’s homecoming celebration.

Richie, a 1978 MSUM public relations and advertising graduate, is president of SLG Corporate and the Sports Leadership Group, a teamwork and leadership consulting firm. He is also an official consulting partner of Patrick Lencioni’s The Table Group.

He’ll deliver three talks during his campus visit.

On Thursday, Sept. 24 he’ll speak to students in a “Student Leadership Workshop” at noon in the Center for Business 105, and at 3 p.m. he’ll talk on “Ethical Leadership and Communication” in the Center for Business 111. He’ll also receive the Distinguished Mass Communications Alumni Award at the afternoon event.

Richie will deliver a distinguished alumni lecture on “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 in the Center for Business 111. 

All events are free and open to the public.

A Minneapolis native, Richie played varsity football at MSUM in the late 1970s. He attended graduate school at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and the International School of Theology in San Bernardino, Calif. He is the author of two books, “Wisdom for the BusyLeader” and “Wisdom for the Busy SportsLeader.”

For over 25 years, Richie has presented on the subjects of teamwork, leadership and business ethics to corporate presidents, team owners, athletes, broadcasters and college educators. His experience encompasses a wide spectrum of athletic associations, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS AND NCAA. He’s also worked with clients such as Well Point, General Dynamics, Ardent Health, and the production company behind the children’s television show, VeggieTales.  Richie has been quoted by The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, the BBC, and GQ Magazine.

Homecoming and Tailgating this Weekend!

This weekend we will let the dining service do the cooking and enjoy tailgating with the students on the west side of the Nemzek Fieldhouse at 11am.  Prices for Dragon Fire Members are $5 per person.  Non-Dragon Fire Members (not sure why you aren't members) are $7 per person.  They are working out a price for kids 12 and under.

Check out the website for more information on family day and homecoming events:  https://appserv.mnstate.edu/homecoming/  If you don't have quicktime, just click no and you'll be able to see everything.

Check out the Dragon Fire Auction which is a great fundraiser of Athletic Scholarships for the student athletes.  You can get there from the link near the bottom of the homecoming page.  Be sure to bid early and often. 

Go Dragons!!! 

What do I do now. . .it is my senior year (Part II)

Greetings from MSUM once again, I continue our plan on helping current seniors with their recruiting process.  You can read my previous entry on September 9th in which the ACT and senior video are highlighted.

One of the most challenging hurdles to complete is the NCAA Clearinghouse.  There are multiple steps to the process and it will take the next 9+ months to be considered certified by the NCAA for collegiate competition.  You will want to start this process now by registering with the Clearinghouse, paying the fee, having your ACT test scores sent electronically, and speak with your counselor at school and get a preliminary transcript sent to the NCAA.  The NCAA Clearinghouse can be found by clicking here.  Get it started, let me know if you have questions so I want to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Go Dragons!!!