Onward: An interview with Keegan Berry
MINOT, N.D. — A decade ago, a younger Keegan Berry had no idea Minot, North Dakota, would eventually be a place he would call home.
Minot State University is certainly glad fate intervened, and MSU head wrestling coach Evan Forde recruited the high school standout.
Berry eventually chose MSU to further his wrestling and academic career, spending six years with the Beavers wrestling team. He earned two degrees from MSU, became a graduate assistant for the men’s team and then an assistant coach for the new women’s program, and is now the University’s director of athletic facilities operations.
The former All-NSIC wrestler, NWCA Academic All-American (2017-2022), and five-time team captain is nearly as busy as he was as a student-athlete, but University Communications found an open slot in the calendar to get to know him a little bit better for our next installment of Onward.
Tell us about your journey to Minot State, what were some of the reasons you chose MSU?
KB: As I was going through my recruiting process in wrestling, I had a few visits lined up throughout the country and was wondering where I would end up. I took my visit to Minot State and really fell in love with everything they had going on. Coach Evan Forde was in his first year as head coach and the recruiting class I was a part of was his first true recruiting class (aside from a handful of guys he brought in late after accepting the position) and we really were going to be part of something new and building a program.
I loved the community and everything that it had to offer and MSU had everything I liked to do outside of school and wrestling, in the outdoors (hunting, fishing, hiking, etc.). The overall Minot State Community was so welcoming it was hard to say no.
After my visit to Minot State, coach Forde called me and I committed and chose to not look elsewhere, I knew Minot State was the school for me.
You are a former student-athlete, how did that experience shape who you are today?
KB: I have been wrestling since I was 3 years old. Wrestling wholeheartedly shaped me into who I am today and being a student-athlete at Minot State exponentially exceeded that process. From coming into college as a fresh 18-year-old boy, to growing me into the 26-year-old man I am today. From all the blood sweat and tears that came along with wrestling were the copious amounts of life lessons I learned from dealing with hardship, how to react to and deal with adversity, a work ethic to learn how to push through hard times and enjoy yourself along the way, and how to be responsible not only for myself but for a true family. Wrestling gave me a built-in family away from home which is all you can ask for when stepping away from home on your own for the first time.
Do you have a highlight or two of your time as a wrestler for MSU, on the mat or off?
KB: From my time as an athlete at MSU, there are a ton of memories that stick with me. So many great memories (and a few tough ones), but one of my favorite memories from wrestling would have to be during my fourth year competing when we beat the University of Mary at home. This ended up being my only dual of the year as I tore a ligament in my knee during my match, but I was able to pull out a win against a returning All-American and our team won the dual.
There were countless matches in this dual that stood out, but the atmosphere and team chemistry was unbelievable and was the first time the recruiting class I came into school with were all seniors and competing together and the first time we beat the University of Mary even though every dual we had against them always came down to the wire.
Aside from memories on the mat, I look back on all of our team traveling trips, whether it was a 15-hour bus ride to Upper Iowa, or a plane trip across the country to the University of Kutztown in Pennsylvania and all the fun times we had as a team. Those, along with the annual fundraiser we do at a local lake, Rice Lake, where we pulled out docks in the fall time which was notoriously freezing outside were some of my favorite times outside of competition.
You earned an undergraduate degree in physical education, tell us what were some of the factors leading you to that degree?
KB: As I came to school in the Fall 2016, I was anticipating getting my degree in geology (I know what a difference from physical education) but after completing two years under that anticipated major, I found myself pushed towards teaching and coaching. I was really finding a passion for it which ultimately led me to change my major in the fall of my junior year. I had always been told I would make a great teacher and coach and ultimately, I guess my cards played out that way and I really found a passion for it as my career field.
After earning your undergraduate degree, you decided to pursue a Master’s in Education degree at MSU, again, what were some of the reasons to continue your academic career and what were some key reasons to stay at Minot State?
KB: Due to COVID and having a medical redshirt year I was able to be one of those lucky six-year seniors... So, I was able to start my master’s degree in my last season of competition to be able to continue to use my eligibility. I could have picked up another major, but I knew ultimately, I would like to teach and coach one day and always knew if I wanted to move up in administration a Master’s degree would be needed for that as well. I was also fortunate enough to get hired as a graduate assistant coach for the men's wrestling team during my last year as a graduate student, which started my passion for coaching at the collegiate level.
We are sensing a theme here! You’ve continued to work within the athletic department at MSU and stayed in the Magic City, what are some of the key reasons for you to live and work here?
KB: As I was finishing up my master’s degree, I actually started looking for physical education positions in Minot and planned on possibly teaching and hopefully getting hired as the new head coach at the new high school Minot North. I was actually not able to find a teaching position and found out that the new high school would not be splitting from the current high school for a couple years in the sport of wrestling. I had sort of planned on continuing to work my seasonal job working for Pitner Rain Gutters in town, which I had done for the past four summers and just substitute teaching once the weather got bad and helping coach at the high school or college.
It was late July after I graduated with my Master’s degree and I was actually on family vacation when I got a call from coach Forde and his assistant coach, Tim Mitchem, along with his wife and current head coach for women's wrestling at Minot State, Brittney Mitchem. They told me about a position that had opened up in administration in the athletic department and with it, I could be the assistant coach for the women's wrestling program. So, I took an interview over Zoom while I was on family vacation and a few days later I got the email saying I got the job. I always have been interested in working in administration within athletics, but I did not necessarily think it would be the job I got right away after graduating, but I accepted the position.
Minot is just a great community all around and I love the people and the atmosphere, and the development of the city and I chose to stay because it is a place that feels like a second home to me now after going into my ninth year in Minot.
What are some of your duties as Director of Athletic Facilities Operations, what’s a day in the life look like for you?
KB: As the Director of Athletic Facility Operations here at Minot State, I handle all activities that come into our facilities. I schedule all of our teams’ practices and organize our master calendar as well as get our facilities set up for gamedays held at home. I also help in organizing facility upgrades and maintenance, as well as making sure teams equipment stays in good shape and taking care of what they may need to keep them operating at their best. I handle all outside events that come into our facilities and write contracts and rental agreements ensuring we take care of any needs they need from us when renting out our facilities.
There are many other little hats I wear at times along with every other person within the administration in the athletic department, but that is a short gist of what I do.
Do you have a highlight or two from your time at Minot State as an athletic administrator?
KB: With this only being my second year in my position I do not have a ton to go off for highlights I have experienced on the administrative side of my job, but I believe the athletic department as a whole is in a great place culturally and as a whole we are working great together to build a great experience for all coaches, student-athletes, and administrators. It is great to see the facility upgrades with the new re-modeled weight room, as well as the new wrestling facility which is almost complete where our old pool used to be. That brings a great face lift and draw for both the University and the athletic department. That would have to be my highlight when it comes to the administrative part of my job.
You have worked with the Dakota Rattlers wrestling club as a coach, how has that experience been for you?
KB: Working for the Dakota Rattlers youth wrestling program is where I really started to find my passion for coaching. From kids who are in pre-school all the way up to seniors in high school, I got exposure to all different levels of athletes, and it was so great seeing kids grow in all aspects both on and off the mat. I started coaching Rattlers in February of 2017 and did have to step down last year (2024) with both my roles here at Minot State, but the people I met through both the athletes and parents got me to know such a large group of the Minot community and all throughout the state of North Dakota. It developed me as a coach and honestly as a wrestler as well. It is something I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to do and will continue to help whenever I can.
You’ve continued to stay connected to MSU wrestling through coaching, tell us about that experience and about keeping connected to the program.
KB: I was fortunate enough to get hired as a graduate assistant coach for the men's wrestling team during my last year in graduate school which really sparked my interest in coaching at the collegiate level. I really enjoyed coaching new athletes on the team and being able to relate to them and have the perspective of someone who has gone through it and it was something that I could see myself continuing to do. Once the opportunity came up, to have an assistant coaching position for the women's wrestling team, I knew I had to jump on it.
Coaching on the female side is a great change up from the men’s side and took a little adjusting, but I found a passion for it just the same as coaching on the men’s side. I love giving back to the program that allowed me to have ample opportunities and experiences in life and that is why I chose to coach. Growing athletes during the beginning stages of their adult lives is something that I find very special, and I feel like I can have a significant impact on all these athletes’ lives even if I am only with them for four or five years.
What do you like to do outside of work, hobbies or other areas of interest?
KB: I really enjoy the outdoors. I have a chocolate lab who is 2 years old and is a great hunting dog who I take out hunting waterfowl and pheasants. I also enjoy bow hunting and/or rifle hunting for big game.
I fish all times of the year, whether it is freezing outside, sitting on a frozen lake, or enjoying the sunshine at 95 degrees in the summer. I like going to the lake and taking trips back to Wyoming to get a taste of the mountains again, doing hikes, and looking for shed antlers or just looking at the scenery and enjoying the view.
I am also a casual golfer in the summertime and really enjoy getting out to play. Basically, anything I can do to get outside and do something, I am game for and the Minot area is a great place for all of these activities.
What else are we missing in telling your story?
KB: I am one of three boys. I have an older brother, Bridger, who is 28 and a younger brother, Jayce, who is 19. My mom's name is Angela and my dad’s name is Jim. My mom and dad are two of the greatest role models a kid could ever ask for and I cannot ever thank them enough for what they have done for me in my life and playing such a huge role in the man I have become. I also have a longtime girlfriend, Rianna Aasen, who was also an athlete here at MSU and is currently in her last semester of her speech pathology master’s degree here at MSU. Last but not least, Minot, North Dakota, is not a place I ever saw myself being for nine years when I came here in the 2016, but the people and the environment are an amazing place that is hard to get away from and I am glad I said yes to Minot State University those few years ago. ROLL BEAVS!
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 10/25/24
