Henry Biesiot Activities Center

Hank Biesiot began his career at Dickinson State University in the fall of 1972 as Defensive Coordinator. Hank was named Head Coach at DSU in 1975 and has since experienced 32 of 36 winning seasons at a percentage of 72%.

His teams have won 17 Conference titles and have participated in 15 NAIA National Playoff Games. He has been inducted into the NAIA Coaching Hall of Fame in 2006 and has coached more than 2,000 DSU football student-athletes. Hank has also served as Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education since 1972.

Beginning in 2012, and annually thereafter, the Hank Biesiot Award will be awarded to the Outstanding NAIA College Scholar/Football Player of the Year; honoring excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. This award was created by USA College Sports, Inc. and will be presented annually at the Hansen Bowl.

Hank and his wife, Susan, have been active leaders in numerous civic and cultural programs in Dickinson and throughout the region. Their two sons, Vincent (’97) and Tony (’00) are proud alumni of Dickinson State University. Tony had the pleasure of playing linebacker for his father during his college career.

It is with great pride that the Badlands Activities Center is re-named the Henry Biesiot Activities Center to honor a man that has dedicated his life to Blue Hawk Football and Dickinson State University.

• 4 years as DSU Defensive Coordinator (1972-1975)
• 36 years at Head Football Coach at DSU (since 1976)
• Soon to be NAIA All-Time Wins Football Coach
• Named to NAIA Coaching Hall of Fame in 2006
• Record 256-101-1 at the end of the 2011 season
• 32 out of 35 winning seasons
• Winning percentage of .720
• 36 players named to NAIA 1^st or 2^nd All-American Teams
• 2 players named 3-time All-Americans
• 5 undefeated regular seasons
• 11 win season in 2003
• Advanced to NAIA Championship semi-final game in 1991
• 3 time Dakota Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
• 2 time North Dakota Sports Writers Coach of the Year
• 12 time North Dakota Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
• 4 time NAIA District 12 Football Coach of the Year
• 17 Conference Titles
• 15 NAIA Championship Football Playoff Appearances
• Taught, coached, and impacted over 2,000 football players

The training room is located on the bottom level of the facility in the locker room concourse. The athletic training room has twelve tables, an ice machine, and two whirlpools. There is also an office for the head athletic trainer and ample cabinetry space for training supplies, and rehabilitation equipment.

The Blue Hawk Suite is located on the Press level of the Biesiot Activities Center. It serves many groups throughout the University, the community, and within the region. The Blue Hawk Suite is a special place where many people meet and enjoy time together.

The Blue Hawk Suite is available to rent for your next meeting, party, or gathering. The Blue Hawk Suite can accommodate twenty-five people.

When available, the club lounge is a special place for suite and club seat holders to entertain their guests during Blue Hawk Football games. Complimentary half-time refreshments are at times provided in the Club Lounge for all suite and club seat holders.

The Henry Biesiot Activities Center has 342 outdoor bleacher-level club seats, that are located in the center of the bleachers and within the 40 yard lines. Each club seat is 22″ wide, has a chair back, arm rests, extra leg room, and a drink holder. Club seating provides fans with the premier seating experience and represents reserved seating. Club seat holders receive the best sight lines and direct views of Fisher Field and the Hawk Vision Video Board.

Single season club seat packages are available for Dickinson State University Blue Hawk football games.

When available, club seat holders have exclusive access to a Club Lounge. At times, complimentary half-time refreshments are provided in the Club Lounge. The Club Lounge is a special place to visit with other suite & club seat holders, alumni, and fans.

The Press Level of the Biesiot Activities Center is home to seven media boxes for coaches, media/tv representatives, and other event management personnel. There is a separate media box for each of the following groups to use during an athletic contest:

• Home Team Coaches
• Visiting Team Coaches
• Statisticians
• Scoreboard/Clock and PA Personnel
• TV/Camera Operators
• Home Team Media Personnel (Radio and Newspaper)
• Visiting Team Media Personnel (Radio and Newspaper)

Each media box can seat eight to ten individuals. A special attribute of the TV/Camera Box is that the windows will open and telescope to each side of the room so that there is no interference while filming the event.

The Biesiot Activities Center has a three-window concession stand. The concession stand is managed by Sodexo, the University’s food service provider, and features a wide variety of food and beverage options.

The concession stand is open at all athletic events and some public events. A highlight of the concession stand is that the menu is featured throughout the Lowman-Walton Concourse on flat-screen TV’s giving spectators an opportunity to see the menu from more than one location.

The concession stand menu features:

• Hamburgers
• Chili Dogs
• Cheese Dogs
• Hot Dogs
• Pizza
• Taco in a Bag
• Nachos
• Popcorn Tub
• Pretzel with cheese
• Coffee and Hot Chocolate
• Wide Assortment of Candy Selections
• Assortment of Bottled Pepsi and Coke Beverages

During non-athletic events, the concession stand serves as a kitchenette for catering and food preparation. The north concession stand window is where a bar will set-up if alcohol is served.

• The Biesiot Activities Center has a total of nine suites on the Lowman-Walton Concourse level. Each suite is approximately 200 square feet and can accommodate twenty guests (seating for eight indoors and twelve outdoors). The suites are furnished with a high-top round table with four chairs, a flat-screen TV with closed circuit television and full cable, a kitchenette area with refrigerator, cabinetry, and outdoor club seating.
• Each suite is leased for a multi-year term, and represent a Right of Useat all events at the BAC during that period. Please contact us if you are interested in leasing a suite in the future.
• However, based on availability and approvalsome concourse level suites can be rented out on a “per game” basis for football games and/or track meets.
• During athletic events, suite holders have the option to order food from a catered suite menu that is specialized by Sodexo, the University’s Food Service Provider. Tobacco products are not permitted in the suites at any time.

Dedicated September 5, 2009

Fisher Field has been made possible through the generosity of Fisher Industries and the Gene and Sheila Fisher family. It is the home football field for Dickinson State University, Dickinson High School, and Dickinson Trinity High School. The field’s Sprinturf  artificial turf surface is comprised of fibers that are 2.25 inches long. The infill material consists of recycled rubber tires (70 percent by weight) and sand (30 percent by weight) for a total infill thickness of 1.5 inches. The Sprinturf  came in 15-foot wide rolls that were stitched together, while the perimeter of the turf was nailed to a wood “nailer” that keeps it in place. The base of the field is comprised of three components: the drain rock, the drainage system, and the base rock. An 18-inch storm drain surrounds the perimeter to allow for proper drainage of the field and surrounding track.

Fisher Industries began in 1952 as Fisher Sand & Gravel, a small, but growing and aggressive aggregate processing business in western North Dakota. Through the vision and leadership of company founder, Gene Fisher, Fisher Sand & Gravel quickly emerged as a leader in portable crushing operations. In 1967, General Steel and Supply was created, allowing Fisher Industries to repair, remodel, design, and fabricate quality aggregate processing equipment.

Today, under the leadership of Tommy Fisher, their portfolio includes aggregate processing, manufacturing, earth moving, concrete, asphalt, drilling, blasting, and paving services. Fisher Industries, headquartered in Dickinson, North Dakota, is a devoted supporter of scholarship programs and capital campaigns that are vital to the success of Dickinson State University and the greater community.

The Biesiot Activities Center features four on-site locker rooms for the three home teams: Dickinson State University, Dickinson High School, and Dickinson Trinity High School. The locker rooms are located on the bottom level of the facility. Each locker room was constructed specifically with each schools colors.

• DSU: Navy and Blue;
• DHS: Orange and Black; and
• THS: Red and White.

The high school’s locker rooms include: 45 metal lockers, showers, restrooms, an athletic training table, dry erase board, and projector screen.

Dickinson State Unviversity football locker room has 105 custom-made wood lockers, showers, restrooms, dry erase boards, and up-to-date audio/visual equipment for reviewing game film.

All four locker rooms are equipped with control switches to listen to either the radio, the PA, or an MP3 player.

Dedicated September 25, 2010

The Lowman-Walton Concourse is available for the public to use through the generosity of the Walton Family Foundation as recommended by Melani Lowman-Walton ’98 and Rob Walton. Melani is a third generation Dickinson State University alumna originally from Sidney, Montana. She is a Magna Cum Laude honors graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree, with majors in Elementary Education and K-12 Art Education and a K-12 minor in Physical Education. While a student-athlete for DSU, she was a three-time All-American in both basketball and track & field. Melani set new DSU and Conference records in basketball in career total points, game high points and rebounds, field goal percentage, and triple doubles. Lowman-Walton set all-time records in the triple jump at the District and Conference level and for DSU. She also ran anchor for the 400m and 1600m Blue Hawk championship relay teams. She held both Conference and District championship titles in both triple jump and long jump. Melani was inducted into the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in 2007. Melani married Rob in 2005 and has traveled extensively in connection with their shared interest in conservation and biodiversity preservation and reside in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

The Biesiot Activities Center provides game-day officials with their own private locker room. The officials locker room has padded chairs, coat racks, two shower stalls, a restroom, a refrigerator, a game-clock, and enough space for pre and post-game meetings.

Additional outdoor facilities include the following:

• South Grandstands
• Center Grandstands
• North Grandstands (faculty, staff, students)
• Blue Hawk  North Berm
• Blue Hawk South Berm

The BAC has seven suites located on the press level of the facility. The press level suites are 160 square feet and have a seating capacity of fifteen. Seating for the press level suites is entirely indoors. Each suite is furnished with a high-top round table with four chairs, a flat-screen TV with closed circuit television and full cable, a kitchenette area with refrigerator, cabinetry, and padded chairs.

Each suite is leased for a multi-year term, and represent a Right of Useat all events at the BAC during that term. Please contact us if you are interested in leasing a press level suite in the future.

However, based on availability and approvalsome press level suites can be rented out on a “per game” basis for football games and/or track meets.

During athletic events, suite holders also have the option to order food from a catered suite menu that is specialized by Sodexo, the University’s Food Service Provider. Tobacco products are not permitted in the suites at any time.

Dedicated on September 12, 1987; Re-dedicated on April 9, 2010

The Roger Huffman Track is named in honor of Roger F. Huffman. For more than six decades, Mr. Huffman has demonstrated dedicated service to his alma mater, Dickinson State University, and the University’s athletic program.

Roger F. Huffman ’55, a native of Killdeer, has been an influential alumnus since he first arrived at Dickinson State University in the late 1940’s. Roger was an active and accomplished student-athlete in football, basketball, and track prior to completing his studies in 1955. He returned to his alma mater in 1963, where he served in a variety of capacities until his retirement in 1991. His roles included assistant professor of physical education, head football and track coach, and assistant basketball coach. As a coach, Roger was demanding but fair and inspired loyalty and hard work in his athletes. In 1966, Roger was named University Athletic Director and Chair of the Physical Education Division, posts he held until 1984 when he was named Registrar and Director of Admissions. Today, Roger is an avid Blue Hawk fan and loyal supporter of Dickinson State University.

Here are some unique facts about the Roger Huffman Track and its construction:

• The new Roger Huffman track is a two-component elastomeric polyurethane, 10mm full pour surface that is 3/8” thick.
• The track was installed in two layers: a 5mm base course (force reduction layer) and a 5mm of wear course (resilient wearing layer).
• The base course was mixed with very fine rubber particles to provide force reduction and flexibility.
• After the base course cured, the wear course was poured on top of the base course.
• As the wear course cured, manufactured rubber granules one to 3mm in size were sprinkled on top of the wear course. The granules became embedded in the wear course elastomeric polyurethane to provide the texture of the finished product.
• The elastomeric polyurethane track was poured on top of four inches of asphalt.
• The Roger Huffman track was named in honor of alumnus and longtime DSU Athletic Director & Coach, Roger F. Huffman, in 1987.

The Biesiot Activities Center has one ticket booth with four access windows. Each window is equipped with an intercom and a sliding shelf.

The Blue Hawk Suite offers a unique place for your next meeting or party; and is a great place to entertain family, friends, and colleagues. The Blue Hawk suite is located on the Press level of the BAC that provides an exceptional view of Fisher Field, Roger Huffman Track, and the campus of Dickinson State University. The suite can accomodate twenty- five people.

The Blue Hawk suite is available for rent based on availability during high school football games and track meets. Make the Blue Hawk Suite your home at the next football game or track meet!

The Club Lounge is another unique space to rent at the Henry Biesiot Activities Center. The Club Lounge offers an intimate atmosphere and provides beautiful views of Fisher Field, the Roger Huffman Track, and the campus of Dickinson State University. Our club lounge capacities are:

• Standing Room Capacity: 120
• 5- Foot Round Table Seating Capacity: 80
• 8- Foot Rectangular Table Seating Capacity: 32

When available, the club lounge is a special place for suite and club seat holders to entertain their guests during Blue Hawk games. At times, complimentary half-time refreshments are provided in the Club Lounge for all suite and club seat holders.

Downloads

Download Club Seating Agreement Form

Download Club Seating Terms and Conditions

Pricing

Seats

Reserved Chair back Football Season Ticket – $100/each
General Admission Season Tickets – $50/each

Suites

Lower Level Suites – $7,500/each
Upper Level Suites – $5,000/each

Tailgate Spots

1 Reserved Tailgate Spot (5 games) – $125/spot

Additional outdoor facilities include the following:

• South Grandstands
• Center Grandstands
• North Grandstands (faculty, staff, students)
• Blue Hawk  North Berm
• Blue Hawk South Berm

Fisher Field at the Biesiot Activities Center is one of the many outdoor spaces available for rent. It is the only artificial turf field in western North Dakota and was made possible through the generosity of Fisher Industries and the Gene and Sheila Fisher family.

Fisher Field is primarily used to host regular and post-season high school and college football games. Fisher Field has hosted football games for Dickinson State University, Dickinson High School, Dickinson Trinity High School, Richardton-Taylor High School, and New Town High School. The Badlands Bowl (Montana vs. North Dakota High-School All-Star football game) and the Annual 9-man High School Football Jamboree have also been played on Fisher Field.

The Sprinturf  artificial turf provides student-athletes with the best and safest playing surface available. The Sprinturf  is also more functional and allows other outdoor and sporting events to occur: concerts; outdoor ‘family’ movie nights; sport camps; field days; fitness challenges; relay races; marching band competitions; dog shows; the NFL punt, pass, and kick competition; and soccer tournaments.

During football games, Fisher field is complemented by the Hawk Vision Video Board, which is the largest video board in the state of North Dakota. The scoreboard provides instant replay, statistics, videos, advertising, and results during an athletic contest. The goal posts on Fisher Field can be adjusted to fit high school and college regulations, and end-zone play clocks give players, coaches, officials, and fans the best view of the time remaining between plays. There is seating for more than 3,500 fans (through suites, club seats, and general bench seating), and the Musco lighting system delivers more than 50 foot candles of light. Those that rent Fisher Field have access to the Lowman-Walton Concourse, on-site locker rooms, athletic training room, coaches and media boxes, the ticket booth, official’s locker room, concession stand, and restrooms.

The Biesiot Activities Center encourages local and regional school districts to rent Fisher Field for their next football game or sporting event. Area sport organizations are also encouraged to host their next tournament on Fisher Field.

The community is also welcome to use Fisher Field for their daily workout and exercise routines. The field is open daily during daylight hours. Entrance onto Fisher Field is available through the turnstile gate located on 13^th Avenue.

The Hawk Vision Video Board is the largest outdoor video board in the state of North Dakota. It is used at all football games and track meets for results and scoring, instant replay, statistics, advertising, and to distribute information.

The Hawk Vision Video Board is also available for rent at your next event. Ad’s can be created and displayed to welcome your guests and to thank your event sponsors.

The Video Board also plays outdoor movies for the BAC’s “Family Movie Night” during the summer months.

Additionally, scoreboard sponsorship is available on the Video Board.

Contact us if you would like to use the Hawk Vision Video Board at your next event.

The Lowman-Walton Concourse offers over 5,000 square feet of indoor multi-purpose space. The concourse can be set-up in theater, classroom, banquet, and meeting style seating. It can also be split into four quadrants with a moveable wall partition to provide break-out areas and privacy during an event. The concourse has the following capacities:

Standing Room Capacity: 450
Theatre Style Capacity: 350
5- Foot Round Table “Banquet Style” Seating Capacity: 320
8- Foot Rectangle Table “Classroom Style” Seating Capacity: 200
Vender/Expo Style Capacity: 40 Booths

Lowman-Walton Concourse Layout

Lowman-Walton Concourse Layout with Bar Serving Area

Banquet Layout

If you are looking for outdoor event space to rent at the Biesiot Activities Center, consider renting the Montana-Dakota Utilities “South” Patio, or the Roughrider Electric “North” Patio.

Each of these outdoor patios have the following capacities:

• Standing Room Capacity: 125
• 5- Foot Round Table Seating Capacity: 96
• 8- Foot Rectangular Seating Capacity: 48

Our outdoor patios have been used for pre and post-event socials, birthday parties, family reunions, and in combination with renting the Lowman-Walton Concourse and/or the Parking Lot. The outdoor patios can give your event the extra space you need, and also allows your guests to enjoy the outdoors, Fisher Field, and the Roger Huffman Track.

The Biesiot Activities Center also rents out its parking lot for a variety of events. The parking lot has been used for car sales, carnivals, concerts, radio broadcasting, firework displays, 5k road races, tailgating, and large equipment exhibits. The Parking Lot can be used in conjunction with an Outdoor Patio and/or the Lowman-Walton Concourse.

The Biesiot Activities Center has nine luxury suites on the concourse level and seven luxury suites on the press level that can be rented at football games and track meets based on availability. Each suite is 160 to 200 square feet in total space and has a high-top round table with four chairs, a flat-screen TV with closed circuit television and full cable, a kitchenette area with refrigerator, cabinetry, and padded chairs or club seating.

The suites provide a great opportunity to entertain your family, friends, and colleagues at your next athletic event.

Press Level Suites can seat fifteen guests, and its seating is entirely indoors.

Concourse Level Suites can seat twenty guests which includes both indoor and outdoor seating.

Suite holders also have the option to order food from a catered suite menu that is specialized by Sodexo, the University’s Food Service Provider. All costs associated with the suite menu’s and the catering service is the suite holder/renter’s responsibility.

If you would like to experience a luxury suite at your next football game or track meet, contact us today!

The Roger Huffman Track at the Biesiot Activities Center is another outdoor space available for rent. The Roger Huffman Track is a two-component elastomeric polyurethane, 10mm full pour surface, that is 3/8” thick. The track was named in honor of alumnus and longtime Dickinson State University Athletic Director & Coach, Roger F. Huffman. The Roger Huffman track is used primarily to host regular and post-season high school and college track meets; in addition to 5k races, fitness challenge relays, and other athletic events/competitions.

The Roger Huffman Track hosts track meets for Dickinson State University, Dickinson High School, and Dickinson Trinity High School. The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA), NDHSAA Class A West Region and NDHSAA Class B Southwest Region High School Track Championships, Badlands Conference Championships, and the Richardton-Taylor Raider Booster Track Invitational has all been held on the Roger Huffman Track.

The two-component elastomeric polyurethane track provides student-athletes with the best and safest running surface available. The track has eight- Olympic- sized lanes, and boasts the latest in track and field meet management, results, and F.A.T. systems (through Hy-Tek and Finish Lynx). The Roger Huffman track also provides field event athletes with the best possible experience. Within the complex, a variety of field areas allow for a number of field events to simultaneously take place and directional changes to be made based on the wind conditions. The Roger Huffman track has the following field event areas:

• Four long jump or triple jump pits;
• Four pole vault boxes;
• Two shot put pits;
• Two discus throw cages;
• Two high jump pits;
• A javelin throw area;
• A hammer cage; and
• A steeplechase pit.

The Roger Huffman track is also able to accommodate many other sporting and outdoor events such as: concerts, family movie nights, sport camps, field days, fitness challenges, and relay races. The track is durable and very versatile which allows for more events to take place throughout the year.

During track meets, the Roger Huffman track is complemented by the Hawk Vision Video Board, which is the largest video board in the state of North Dakota. The scoreboard provides schedules, statistics, team scores, advertising, and instant results for coaches, athletes, and fans during a track meet. There is seating for more than 3,500 fans during a track meet (through suites, club seats, and general bench seating); and the Musco lighting system delivers more than 50 foot candles of light. Those that rent the Roger Huffman Track also have access to the Lowman-Walton Concourse, on-site locker rooms, athletic training room, coaches and media boxes, the ticket booth, official’s locker room, concession stand, and restrooms.

The Biesiot Activities Center encourages local and regional school districts to rent the Roger Huffman Track for their next home track meet or sporting event. Area sport organizations are also encouraged to host a 5k race/relay or fitness challenge on the track.

The public is also welcome to use the Roger Huffman Track for their daily workout and exercise routines. The track is open daily during daylight hours. Entrance is available through the turnstile fence located on 13^th Avenue.