Dave Backlund

Dave Backlund, a 1971 DWU graduate, has made countless contributions to Dakota Wesleyan athletics. He is an active DWU TeamMaker, a scholarship sponsor and a contributor to Tiger golf, wrestling and cross country. Each year, the DWU wrestling team presents the Dave Backlund Leadership in Wrestling Award. Backlund is a 12-year member of DWU Board of Trustees and a recipient of the DWU Service to Alma Mater award and the South Dakota Friend of Wrestling Award.

Wayne Heisinger

Wayne Heisinger, a 1969 DWU graduate, was a four-year starter and a two-time All-Conference performer for the Tiger football team. He was an All-SDIC Honorable Mention selection in 1967 and 1968, and he served as team captain during his senior season. Over Heisinger’s four years, DWU went 20-15, and he was a four-year member of the “W” Club. Heisinger has enjoyed a successful high school coaching career in Minnesota, and in 1998 he was named the DWU Alumni Coach of the Year.

Chris Long

Chris Long, a 1998 DWU graduate, was a two-sport star for the Tigers. Long was an NAIA Men’s Basketball All-American Honorable Mention selection in 1996-97. He led DWU to SDIC titles in 1994-95 and 1996-97, and to the 1995 NAIA Division II National Tournament. He is 11th on the Tigers’ career scoring list with 1,541 points. Long was also a two-time All-SDIC First-Team wide receiver. He is second in DWU history in receiving (1,780 yards), fourth in receptions (100) and fifth in scoring (148 points) despite only playing football for two seasons.

Brooks Schild

Brooks Schild, a 1988 DWU graduate, won numerous honors for his performances on the football field and in the classroom. A defensive lineman, Schild was named NAIA Division I All-American Honorable Mention selection, as well as an NAIA All-District 12 pick and an All-SDIC performer. Schild was named the Tigers’ most valuable defensive player during the team’s SDIC Championship season in 1987. Schild was also a three-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete, a Scholastic All-American and a member of the DWU and National Dean’s List.

Sonnie Waln-Jenssen

Sonnie Waln-Jenssen, a 1989 DWU graduate, was a big reason the Tiger women’s basketball team won back-to-back SDIC Championships in 1986-87 and 1987-88. Waln-Jenssen earned All-SDIC honors as a sophomore and junior before an injury cut her senior season short. She still shares the school record for assists in a game (16), and when her career ended she was the all-time DWU leader in single-season assists (166) and career assists (375). Waln-Jenssen averaged 12.0 points per game during her Tiger career.