By Micah Friez
Published 1:00 pm on August 17, 2025
No, that flash of fluorescent isn’t a life-sized highlighter streaking across the Bemidji Town & Country Club.
It’s a group of Beaver Hockey alumni sporting their annual tradition at the Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament.
The gaggle of golfers consists of Lauren Bench, Emily (Bergland) Brady, Riley Fawcett, Kristin (Huber) Henry, Alexis Joyce and Erin (Deters) Kanak. The team varies slightly by year, depending on who can make it out, but the core has embraced a pop of beaver-themed color in their golf polos while supporting Bemidji State University.
“People supported us when we were playing,” said Brady, whose 2025 grouping also featured Joyce, Kanak and Nate Brasel. “With all the money that goes back into the program, now it feels nice to be able to support some people and give them the experience we had.”
This year’s shirts were bright pink, depicting a cartoon beaver in various settings ranging in believability from chewing a log to wrapped in a towel after a shower. Last year’s shirts were a light blue with limes, salt and an adult beverage to match.
But most importantly, do the shirts make them play better?
“Yes,” Brady said, unflinching.
“One hundred percent,” Joyce added quickly.
“And we’re the best-looking team,” Brady said. “We might not win it, but we’re going to look good.”
The 2025 Nagle, held in July, raised $40,000 for the BSU men’s hockey program behind 180 golfers. The group of Andy Dokken, Ekren Miller, Morgan Shepherd and Wes Waytashek won the tournament crown.
And although the Nagle is a fundraiser for the men’s program, the women’s hockey alumnae have embraced it as well — and are all bought in on supporting and making connections.
“We’re so close with so many of the people — the alumni, the staff at the country club, the staff at BSU,” said Joyce, who is a current assistant coach on the women’s hockey team. “We have so many connections that, maybe numbers-wise we are outnumbered, but we still have the same fun experience.”
“We had such a good group of people, including the guys in my class,” Brady said of her BSU experience. “Everyone marks this weekend on the calendar, and it’s our one committed weekend to get together. We have people in Europe, all over the U.S. and Canada. But we know this is one weekend where everyone can get together and act like college kids again. It’s so great to see everyone.”
This summer’s edition of the Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament marked 28 years of the event. It’s turned into a summer tradition for many Beaver Hockey alumni, current student-athletes, coaches and program supporters, often acting as an annual reunion. By raising funds for the program, it also ensures that current and future hockey players have memorable experiences at Bemidji State — those who may even bring a flashy polo to the event someday.
“The only way to make things possible is by supporting the teams that are going through there now, giving them the resources and funds that they need to be successful,” Joyce said. “Hopefully they’ll get some cool things that maybe we weren’t able to and continue to grow the program and leave it better than they found it.”
