March 1, 2008

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State University head football coach Jeff Tesch today announced that David Olson of Rochester Community and Technical College has made the decision to transfer to BSU for the 2008 football season.

The addition of Olson brings the 2008 incoming class to 40 which includes 19 National Letter of Intent signees, 18 BSU Offer of Intent players and three junior college transfers.

The linebacker/defensive end played last season at 2007 Minnesota Community College Conference (MCCC) State Champion and NJCAA Division III National Champion Rochester Community and Technical College. Rochester finished 2007 season with a perfect 11-0 record good for a No. 6 ranking among all levels of the nation’s junior colleges.

A defensive captain, Olson was a centerpiece of the RCTC defensive unit. An all-conference and all-state pick as a sophomore, he helped lead the Yellowjackets’ to a No. 1 ranking in the state of Minnesota and their ninth MCCC state tile in 12 years. Olson was integral to the team’s championship leading the defense with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the title game.

He leaves RCTC a the owner of pair of school records that accentuate his strength and athletic ability. He posted a 335-pound hang clean and leaped 38 inches to claim the vertical jump record.

Olson is a native of Rapid City, S.D. where he was a graduate of Stevens High School.

“David is one of the best recruits we have signed at Bemidji State in a long time. He will fill some immediate holes for us,” commented Tesch of the six-foot-three, 242-pounder. “We are looking forward to his addition to the program.”

Bemidji State is coming off a season in which it finished 7-4 overall and took fourth place in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a 6-3 mark in league play.

The team is set to begin spring drills in mid-April and will open the 2008 schedule at Minot (N.D.) State Aug. 28 with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--bsu--