NDSU Athletics – Jared Essler, a Bishop Ryan alumnus, was recently named an inductee to the the NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame. He is shown here on the NDSU sideline during a game in the 2004 season.

FARGO – Minot native and Bishop Ryan alumnus Jared Essler will be inducted into the North Dakota State University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 29.

Essler was a six-time All-American in track and captained the football team while competing for the Bison.

Since graduating from NDSU, Essler got into coaching high school football, quickly rising through the ranks to become head coach at St. Michael-Albertville High School in the Minneapolis suburbs.

Under Essler’s leadership, the Knights won their first Minnesota state championship in 2015.

“Being named to the Hall of Fame has allowed me to be reflective,” said Essler. “I’m really grateful to the teammates and mentors who had a big influence on my role as a high coach and educator.”

“It’s kind of fun to look back,” he said.

During his time at Bishop Ryan, Essler won ten state track titles, including individual titles in the 100, 200, and 400 meters and the 300-meter hurdles. In 2000, he was named both the Gatorade North Dakota Male Track Athlete of the Year and the Class B Male Track Athlete of the Year.

Essler also played safety and quarterback for Bishop Ryan’s football team, helping the Lions to state championships in 1997 and 1999. He ran for over 1,700 years and 41 touchdowns and passed for 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.

Essler also played basketball for the Lions, who finished has state runners-up his senior year. He received second team All-State honors that season.

“My time at Bishop Ryan was influential time in my life,” said Essler. “I see it in the kids I coach and the life lessons I teach them.”

Essler praised his former coaches including Todd Kaylor, who coached him all four years in track, the late Pat McNally, who was principal and athletic director, and basketball coaches Fred Fridley Jr. and the late Dwayne Johnson.

Essler resides in Albertville with his wife Kinsey Essler, who was inducted into the NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame in last year’s class for her track and field accomplishments. The couple have three children, Carter 14, McKenna, 12, and Kira 9.

Essler will be joined by fellow inductees Tamara Brudy, a 16-time All-American track and field sprinter, national champion wrestler Paul Carlson, national champion softball center fielder Jess (Christensen) Hodgson, three-time All-NCC and All-Region volleyball middle hitter Jeni (Jost) Gunderson, two-time NCC Track and Field Championships MVP Lisa Kresky-Griffin, All-American football receiver Tim Stehlow and the 1983 national champion Bison football team.

This year’s honorees will be the 51st class to be inducted.

The event will be held on the NDSU campus in the Nodak Insurance Performance Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex, and the incoming hall of fame class will also be recognized at halftime of the homecoming football game on Sept. 30 vs. South Dakota.