Hall of Fame
28th Hall of Fame inductee, Karen Assel.
Induction into the NDRPA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed on its members. Twenty-seven individuals have been inducted since 1994.
Qualifications for Hall of Fame
NDRPA shall recognize outstanding parks and recreation professionals in its Hall of Fame who are eligible if they meet at least two of the following three criteria:
1. 50 years old
2. 20 years of parks and recreation service in North Dakota
3. Retirement
The candidate’s nomination shall be judged on the following criteria:
- A successful record of accomplishment in the parks and recreation field in North Dakota.
- Active participation in the NDRPA shall be a high consideration.
Nominations
The 2023 induction ceremony was held Sept. 13 at the NDRPA State Conference in Grand Forks. Nominations for 2024 will open in the spring.
NDRPA Hall of Fame Members
Short biographies and photos of all members are provided below. In addition, all members are recognized with plaques at the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame in the Jamestown Civic Center.
- 1994 – Dr. LaVernia Jorgensen, University of North Dakota
- 1994 – Wendell Langendorfer, Wahpeton Park Board
- 1996 – Bob “Goose” Johnson, Fargo Park District
- 1996 – Jack Brown, Jamestown Parks & Recreation Department
- 1997 – Dick Leker, Grand Forks Park District
- 1998 – Rueben “Ookie” Hammond, Minot Park District
- 1998 – Tim Mueller, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
- 2001 – Frances B. Kannowski, Grand Forks Park District
- 2001 – Mike Nilson, Minot Park District
- 2003 – Doug Eiken, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department
- 2004 – Dr. Tom Barnhart, North Dakota State University
- 2005 – Steve Neu, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
- 2008 – Homer Abbott, Grand Forks Park District
- 2009 – Ardean Aafedt, Williston Parks and Recreation
- 2009 – Doug Jaeger, Dickinson Parks & Recreation
- 2010 – Steve Mullally, Grand Forks Park District
- 2011 – Randy Bina, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
- 2012 – Roger Jensen, Wahpeton Parks and Recreation
- 2013 – Wayne Beyer, Wahpeton Parks and Recreation
- 2015 – Bill Palmiscno, Grand Forks Park District
- 2016 – Larry Grondahl, Williston Park Board
- 2019 – James Kramer, Dickinson Parks and Recreation
- 2019 – Terry Wallace, Devils Lake Park District
- 2021 – Tim Kuntz, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
- 2021 – Dennis Nybo, New Rockford Park District
- 2022 – Dick Gulmon, Valley City Parks and Recreation
- 2022 – Ron Merritt, Minot Park District
- 2023 – Karen Assel, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department