Northern Arizona transfer sparks team
Coming from the desert of Arizona to the frozen tundra of North Dakota would normally take some adjusting.
As the months pass and the temperatures begin to drop, Northern Arizona transfer Kelly Weisgarber appears to be adjusting fine.
A senior on the women’s golf team and a Fargo native, Weisgarber came back to North Dakota after playing three seasons at Northern Arizona to finish up her degree in education.
“ I really wanted to finish my degree up here and be able to teach in the Midwest,” Weisgarber said.
Another reason Weisgarber decided to come back was because of her mother, NDSU women’s golf head coach Diane Weisgarber.
Her mother was her coach during high school when the duo led Fargo South to four consecutive state championships.
“ My mom is a huge influence and definitely helps me keep my composure at tournaments because I know she is watching,” Kelly Weisgarber said. “Having my mom around here — it has been great.”
When Kelly Weisgarber was being recruited by numerous Division I programs throughout high school, she went straight to her mom for advice.
“ I told her to go explore all the opportunities that are out there,” Diane Weisgarber said.
Kelly Weisgarber decided on Northern Arizona and as a member of the Lumberjacks for three seasons, she was a three-time Big Sky all-academic selection.
Kelly Weisgarber also helped lead the Lumberjacks to a runner-up finish at the Big Sky championships by shooting a then career-low 74 in the spring of 2006.
“ All the different and difficult courses that she’s played and the tough competition that was down there definitely helped her improve her game,” Diane Weisgarber said.
So why leave the sun of Arizona for the icy streets of North Dakota?
“ I’m sure people think I’m crazy to come back to the weather here,” Kelly Weisgarber said. “There may be some times this February when I call myself crazy too.”
Diane Weisgarber said it all really started last year during Christmas break.
“ Kelly was over at the (NDSU) library a lot during break doing some research and on New Year’s Day she came to her father and I and told us of her decision,” Diane Weisgarber said.
This is not the first parent-child relationship in the Bison athletic program.
In 2002, then Bison Head Football coach Bob Babich coached his son Bobby.
“ Knowing Bobby Babich and his dad, I was excited to have Kelly came and play for NDSU,” Diane Weisgarber said.
Kelly Weisgarber said she had missed Fargo and the people here and loved the way people support the Bison athletic program.
“ The team has been so welcoming and the chemistry has been great, and having mom around has been fun,” Kelly Weisgarber said.
Diane Wesigarber said what has made this year special, in addition to having her daughter on the roster, is the team as a whole.
“ This team has been great; everyone has been working so hard and we’re starting to turn the corner, ” Diane Weisgarber said.
Kelly Weisgarber is ready to help this program become successful.
“ I want the team to win the Independent championship and show the Mid-Con that NDSU can compete at this level,” Kelly Weisgarber said.
A big step in the right direction happened in Spokane, Wash. when Kelly Weisgarber shot a school-record-tying and career-low 72 to guide the Bison to a sixth place finish among numerous solidified Division I opponents.
Kelly Weisgarber and the Bison will not have to be stuck in the cold during spring break, as they will travel south to take on Northern Arizona in a dual meet.