Bemidji Pioneer

The Minnesota Vikings began in Bemidji before anywhere else. From 1961-65, the new NFL franchise used Bemidji as its training camp home.

With over two dozen athletic programs and a century to work with, Bemidji State has had its fair share of oddities pile up.

David Park? Harry Bridgeman? Claude Hobson? Who are these people, and why are buildings at Bemidji State University named after them? Here’s a breakdown on the naming of campus buildings and facilities.

In honor of Bemidji State’s centennial celebration, longtime Beaver men’s hockey coach and athletic director Bob Peters explains what BSU athletics mean to him.

Hjalmer “Jolly” Erickson became a do-it-all coach for Bemidji State Teachers College after he first stepped on campus in the 1930s, earning the nickname “Mr. Athletics” with 17 years of experience on the Beaver sidelines.

In the Bemidji winters of yesteryear, he pioneered the first Bemidji State Teachers College dynasty. And nine years later, he and the Rochester Royals were kings of the basketball world. Meet Arnie Johnson: the only Beaver in NBA history.

The popular underground tunnel system at Bemidji State connects one end of campus to the other, leading to just about any and every indoor spot at the school. Naturally, then, it’s not uncommon for students to hike to classrooms in short sleeves and flip flops.

The success of the 1982 BSU baseball team continues to be among the crown jewels in the history of Bemidji State athletics.