Bemidji State Athletics reveals 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class

By Beaver Athletics

Published 12:00 pm on May 21, 2026

Bemidji State University will proudly welcome seven new individuals to its Athletic Hall of Fame during the Alumni B-Club/Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend on Dec. 4-5. The group includes four student-athlete inductees, a Legacy Inductee, an Alumni Coaching Achievement award winner, and a John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner.

Going into the hall as individuals are: Kristi Buerkle (women’s cross country and track and field); James Ellisor (men’s basketball); Erin (Cody) Read (women’s hockey); and Joe Remitz (men’s track and field). Joining them as a Legacy Inductee is Roger Demaris (wrestling). Also joining them are David Heiss, an Alumni Coaching Achievement Award honoree; and Mark Shanfeld, a John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner.

All seven inductees will be recognized at the 2026 Alumni B-Club/Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend on Dec. 4-5, with the induction ceremony scheduled for Dec. 5 in the Beaux Arts Ballroom.

Established in 1978, the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame will now include: 217 individuals, 25 BSU coaches, 27 teams, 12 selected for the Alumni Coaching Achievement Award, 13 John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winners and three Legacy Inductees.

The Bemidji State Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes alumni, former coaches, administrators and others who have excelled at their sports and brought acclaim to the university through their accomplishments and championships. There are several categories in which former athletes, coaches and others may be honored. Nominations for the following Hall of Fame areas must be submitted by Jan. 1 each year. If you have questions, please contact the Alumni & Foundation at alumni@bemidjistate.edu or 218-755-2827.

Click below to read about each new inductee.

Erin (Cody) Read — Women’s Hockey (2007-11)

Erin Cody became one of the most accomplished players in BSU women’s hockey history from 2007-11. A three-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete and All-Academic honoree, Cody combined elite performance with academic excellence. She earned All-WCHA Third Team honors in 2010-11 and was a three-time WCHA Player of the Week. Cody ranks second all-time in program history in both career points (109) and goals (56), and she also holds the record for career power-play goals (16). Serving as team captain during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, she led the Beavers in goals and points for three consecutive seasons and remains among the program’s top performers in assists, games played, and multiple single-season categories. Her legacy is highlighted by a 38-point senior season and a standout performance in which she recorded her 100th career point with a hat trick.

Kristi Buerkle — Women’s Cross Country/Women’s Track and Field (2007-11)

Kristi Buerkle distinguished herself as one of the most decorated runners, excelling both academically and athletically. A CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team selection and multiple-time All-Academic honoree, Buerkle was equally dominant on the track. She earned All-American honors in the 400-meter dash across three consecutive seasons, and she captured multiple NSIC championships while setting the conference indoor 400m record (55.09). Buerkle qualified for NCAA nationals numerous times and was named USTFCCCA Central Region Athlete of the Year in 2011. She holds nearly every top-10 performance mark in program history in the 400m, both indoor and outdoor, including the school record of 53.85 outdoors.

James Ellisor — Men’s Basketball (2010-12)

James Ellisor delivered one of the most dominant two-year stretches in BSU men’s basketball history from 2010 to 2012. A consensus First Team All-American in 2012, Ellisor was named NSIC MVP and Daktronics Region Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring with 22.9 points per game. He set multiple single-season school records, including points (680), field goals made (251), and free throws made (144), while also posting a program-best .579 career field goal percentage. Ellisor led the Beavers to an NSIC regular season championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011-12. He finished his career ranked among the program’s top scorers and rebounders, earning All-Conference honors in both seasons. Following his collegiate career, Ellisor went on to play professionally overseas.

Joe Remitz — Men’s Track and Field (2006-08)

Joe Remitz established himself as one of the greatest field athletes Bemidji State has ever seen, highlighted by winning the Division II outdoor national championship in the shot put. A seven-time conference champion and 12-time All-NSIC honoree, Remitz dominated his competition, including an undefeated spring season against Division II opponents in 2008. He earned multiple NSIC Field Athlete of the Year honors and was named the USTFCCCA North Central Region Field Athlete of the Year. Remitz holds multiple BSU records, including outdoor shot put, hammer throw, indoor shot put, and weight throw.

Roger Demaris — Wrestling (Legacy Inductee)

Demaris is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Bemidji State history, earning four letters and serving as team captain during a standout career, highlighted by a 74-10-1 record — the third-highest career winning percentage in program history. A three-time BSU Open and NIC Conference champion, Demaris also claimed the NDSU Bison Open title, where he was named Outstanding Wrestler. He qualified for the national tournament three times, earning All-American honors in 1973 with a fourth-place finish. He contributed to the 1971 team that placed third nationally as well as the 1972 and 1973 NIC championship teams.

David Heiss — Men’s Basketball (Alumni Coaching Achievement Award)

David Heiss left a lasting impact on Bemidji State men’s basketball and has continued that trend throughout the basketball world. A two-time All-NSIC selection, Heiss led the Beavers in scoring during the 1984-85 season and remains among the program’s top assist leaders. After graduating in 1988 and earning opportunities with professional basketball camps, Heiss transitioned into a highly successful coaching career. As head coach at Waubonsee Community College, he built a nationally recognized program, surpassing 500 career wins and leading his teams to multiple conference championships and national tournament appearances. A member of several Hall of Fames, including the NJCAA and IBCA, Heiss has also made significant contributions off the court as an educator and program developer. His decades of leadership, mentorship, and sustained success exemplify excellence in collegiate athletics and coaching.

Mark Shanfeld (John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner)

Mark Shanfeld’s unwavering commitment to Bemidji State Athletics has made a lasting impact on student-athletes and the broader community. A loyal supporter for more than 20 consecutive years, Shanfeld has demonstrated his generosity through both leadership and philanthropy, including establishing an endowed scholarship in honor of his longtime friend and coach, Rich Jahner. Shanfeld has opened his home to host athletic fundraisers, most notably welcoming more than 40 donors for an event that raised nearly $25,000, and has continued to invest in the student-athlete experience as a Sanford Center suite owner since 2012 and a sponsor of team meals. Shanfeld has also built meaningful personal connections with student-athletes, annually hosting members of the football program’s defensive backs unit for dinner. As a current member of the BSU Alumni & Foundation Board of Directors and a passionate advocate for athletics, he consistently champions the vital role Beaver Athletics plays in enriching both the university and the Bemidji community.

Posted in BSU Today, Beaver Athletics

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Bemidji State Athletics reveals 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class

By Beaver Athletics

Erin (Cody) Read — Women’s Hockey (2007-11)

Kristi Buerkle — Women’s Cross Country/Women’s Track and Field (2007-11)

James Ellisor — Men’s Basketball (2010-12)

Joe Remitz — Men’s Track and Field (2006-08)

Roger Demaris — Wrestling (Legacy Inductee)

David Heiss — Men’s Basketball (Alumni Coaching Achievement Award)

Mark Shanfeld (John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner)

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