Bemidji State History

Bemidji State used to have cross country skiing teams? Yes, and they excelled on the national stage

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / March 4, 2026

Did you know Bemidji State once fielded varsity cross country skiing teams? The programs only lasted six winters, but the student-athletes were mighty successful.

Who remembers Paul Bunyan Week at Bemidji State? Here’s a quick history lesson

By Micah Friez / February 25, 2026

An important part of campus life was Paul Bunyan Week (sometimes also called Paul Bunyan Days). The winter festivities resembled Homecoming and started at BSU in 1948.

This throwback Bemidji State commercial will have you excited for your college days all over again

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / December 30, 2025

Is 12 years old too soon to consider something “vintage”? Maybe, but this 2013-14 Bemidji State University commercial has us ready to re-enroll.

December in BSU history: Coach Peters debuts, the Madrigals finale, and a seven-figure first

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / December 1, 2025

Travel back in time with us as we remember some of the momentous moments of Bemidji State history from the month of December.

Watch Bemidji State’s men’s basketball scrimmage from 1963-64

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / November 14, 2025

Bemidji State College’s 1963-64 men’s basketball team got ready for the season with a scrimmage at the still-new BSU Gymnasium… all while the gymnastics team practiced in the background.

November in BSU history: Football goes undefeated, a 256-year-old violin, and a new name for The Main

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / November 1, 2025

Travel back in time with us as we remember some of the momentous moments of Bemidji State history from the month of November.

October in BSU history: Two time capsules, a new quartet, and the original lake splash

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / October 1, 2025

Travel back in time with us as we remember some of the momentous moments of Bemidji State history from the month of October.

Recognize that David Park House sign? Check out the install from 15 years ago today

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / September 28, 2025

The iconic David Park House was built in 1936-37 and has housed the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation since the early 1990s. Its recognizable sign out front was installed on this date in 2010, and you can check out the step-by-step install here.

Party like it’s 1995: We’ve finally got footage of our first-ever Homecoming lake jump!

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / September 27, 2025

The iconic jump first happened in 1995, although proof of the origin largely relied on eyewitness accounts and school lore in the decades that followed. But now, thanks to program alums Kyle Christianson and John Neis, video footage of the original lake jump has recently been recovered and digitized.

September in BSU history: A prehistoric discovery, Mrs. C and ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / September 1, 2025

Travel back in time with us as we remember some of the momentous moments of Bemidji State history from the month of September.