Drew Hysjulien of Grand Forks Central to Join Minot State Athletics Hall of Fame

GRAND FORKS — Drew Hysjulien, a distinguished alumnus of Grand Forks Central, has been selected for induction into the Minot State Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026. The official ceremony will take place on September 18, with Hysjulien and four additional inductees being honored during halftime of the homecoming football game on September 19 against Southwest Minnesota State.

Hysjulien made a significant impact as a two-sport athlete at Minot State. In track and field, he set the school record in the triple jump with a distance of 49 feet, 4.5 inches, a mark that still stands today. He qualified for national competitions four times and earned All-American recognition as a senior in 2008, finishing fourth at the NAIA Outdoor National Championship. In addition, Hysjulien secured three Dakota Athletic Conference titles, including a high jump victory in 2008 and consecutive triple jump championships in 2005 and 2006.

On the basketball court, Hysjulien contributed to the Minot State Beavers over four seasons, appearing in 105 games. His efforts helped the team achieve the DAC regular season title in 2004-05, win the DAC Tournament in 2005, and earn a spot in the NAIA Division II National Tournament that same year. He is ranked ninth all-time at Minot State with 132 career three-pointers and finished his college career with averages of 734 points, 329 rebounds, and 77 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field.

Now serving as the head basketball coach at Minot North High School, Hysjulien graduated from Central in 2003 and was recognized as an all-state athlete in football, basketball, and track and field in North Dakota.

In other local sports news, Grace Miller, who excelled as a goalkeeper for the University of North Dakota, has transferred to Purdue after a successful season in which she recorded six shutouts and garnered two league defensive player of the week awards. Meanwhile, Minnesota Crookston’s volleyball program has welcomed Sarah Dryburgh as the new top assistant coach, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her previous role at Fosston High School.