Leier recognized by MSU-Bottineau as top alum

Sports Scope

Being rewarded for doing a good job is like frosting on the cake. The reward is even sweeter for Doug Leier, when it comes from the institution of higher learning that propelled him into his line of work.

Leier was recently recognized with the Minot State University-Bottineau Alumni Association Award being honored as the 2007 Young Alumnus of the Year.

Criteria for this award included a stipulation, the recipient must have attended the college within the last 15 years, has been successful and has shown growth and promise in a chosen career, has contributed in a beneficial way to community and/or society in general, and has set a good example in his/her community.

From what we have gathered, Leier has certainly done that and then some.

He was born in Williston, but considers the entire state his home, having lived in LaMoure and graduated from Valley City High School.

Leier is the son of Mary Ann and Larry Leier, who now reside in Valley City.

Leier attended college at what then was known as North Dakota State University-Bottineau, earning a two-year degree in 1992 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from North Dakota State University in 1994.

WORKED IN STANLEY

He began his career in the natural resources, working temporary positions with the US Fish and Wildlife Service across the state.

Back in 1995 he worked as a private land biologist with Ducks Unlimited in Stanley.

From 1996 to 2000 he worked as a District Game Warden for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bottineau and West Fargo.

In 2000 Leier accepted the position as the first outreach biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

CURRENT POSITION

Currently his work involves informing and educating citizens on conservation news and issues.

He does that through his columns which appear in the Williston Herald.

In addition he appears regularly on television stations throughout the eastern part of the state giving outdoors updates.

For seven years he was host of Outdoors Live radio show heard on radio stations in Minneapolis, Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks and Dickinson.

Along with being featured from time to time in the Herald, his weekly column is featured in newspapers, magazines, and websites across the Upper Midwest.

PREVIOUS AWARDS

Prior to being tabbed for this award, Leier has been recognized as the 2006 ND Forest Service media-outreach award, 2004 Associated Press Broadcasters award, 2004 ND Wildlife Federation Conservation Communicator of the Year, in 2003 he was named the ND Game and Fish Department Employee of the Year while in 2000 he earned the ND Game and Fish Outreach Award.

Leier and his wife Michelle live in West Fargo along with their three children Joseph, 5, Kaitlyn, 3 and Grace, 3 months.

We send out a Scope Salute to Leier on being so honored and wish him the best as he continues to pass along detailed experiences in the great outdoors.

LUTZ BACK HOME

A newspaper account in Manchester, N.H., recently confirmed a rumor that a Division I transfer was coming back home to play basketball at Southern New Hampshire University.

At that time the report indicated that player might not be the one everyone is expecting.

Sophomore guard Troy Bowen of Nashua confirmed that he is transferring to SNHU from High Point (N.C.) University.

The local connection here involved the anticipated return of Chris Lutz, who was playing Big Ten basketball at Purdue.

Lutz is a former Trinity High of Manchester standout and apparently announced earlier this month that he was leaving Purdue after two years.

Reports noted Lutz said he would be interested in SNHU, but had not publicly announced where he is going.

As of this writing we haven't heard where Lutz, the son of Williston High School graduate Wayne, will play next season.

If Lutz ends up with that team, they would have some of the best players to come out of New Hampshire in the last few years.

We'll make every effort to sort this out and let you know where this talented cager finishes out his college career.

ROACH IN CORNER

A big fight is set to take place in Las Vegas this weekend and a familiar face will be highlighted in the corner of boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

You see Freddie Roach, who spent many hours here in Williston as a cornerman for former Williston boxer Virgil Hill, now finds himself awaiting a huge payday.

Reports out of Los Angeles indicate Roach will be paid $1.3 million for his work in the mega-fight that pits De La Hoya against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Prior to the bout Roach and his fighter have been working at a gym in Los Angeles.

That jackpot for Roach is considered to be one of the largest one-fight trainer's fee ever paid out in the sport of professional boxing.

According to a newspaper account Roach got the job because the previous trainer was seeking a payday of $2 million.

That must be what happens when one gets greedy.

We spent many hours with Roach during his time here and at several bouts across the country.

Roach was first considered a journeyman boxer with 54 professional bouts, before getting into the business of training.

He has trained 18 world champions, including the likes of Hill and Mike Tyson.

Roach was under the tutelage of the late Eddie Futch, but broke away seeking fame and fortune on his own.

Apparently he learned something along the way, as the fortune now appears to be within reach.

If you're going to cash in, Las Vegas is certainly the place to do it.

MEN'S MUNI LEAGUE

Organizers are in the process of getting the men's league off the ground at the Williston Municipal Golf Course.

You can check for further details at the clubhouse or call 577-1321 for further details.

If the wind decides to quit blowing and the sun comes out of hiding it will be time to get after it on the links.

Watch for further details.

Fore!

scope@willistonherald.com|572-2165