Workers, volunteers make the Dakota Bowl happen at the Fargodome

Ryan McNamara / WDAY By Ryan McNamara Today at 6:18 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — Four games. One day. It's North Dakota's greatest show on turf. Thousands of fans stepped into the Fargodome on Friday, Nov. 13, for Dakota Bowl action, but what they don't see is the dozens of people behind the scenes, making it all happen. ADVERTISEMENT "We have about 50 workers that come in doing the various jobs," said Jenny Schultz, tournament coordinator, which includes people working sideline chains to field supervision and collecting stats. A well-oiled machine is putting it lightly. About 50 volunteers altogether. This sideline crew has been working Dakota Bowl games together for over a decade and know their role comes down to a matter of inches. "It can affect the outcome of a game if you do it wrong," said Mike Monda, Dakota Bowl sideline crew member. Monda said the energy in the building is second to none. "All the small towns, you know, half of the town is probably here today. So, the cheering and the screaming — it's a lot of fun," Monda said. Others have a more lighthearted role. ADVERTISEMENT "I like running on the field to get the tees, because then you get to high-five the players and stuff," said ball boy Gordon Mack. READ MORE STORIES BY RYAN MCNAMARA Fargo bakery prepares hundreds of pies for Thanksgiving 23h ago Doctors urge getting flu shots before Thanksgiving travel 1d ago Fargo Brewing Company has been acquired by Minnesota’s True North Brewing 1d ago Red River Valley Concert Band marks Veterans Day with music 2d ago "The best part is probably watching the football teams battling out for the state championship," said ball boy Michael Ahlers. Hoping one day, they might be, too. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags FOOTBALL FARGODOME PREP SPORTS NDHSAA By Ryan McNamara Ryan McNamara joined WDAY as a reporter in late 2024. He is a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2024. His time as a Husky included copious amounts of time spent at "The Herb" reporting on Husky hockey, or at Halenbeck Hall calling Husky basketball. He also spent two summers with the Northwoods League's St. Cloud Rox. Along with his duties in news and sports, Ryan dons a headset for occasional play-by-play broadcasts for North Dakota and Minnesota high school sports. When he's away from the station, he's most likely lifting, finding time to golf, or taking in as much college basketball as possible, in order to complete the elusive perfect March Madness bracket. Twitter Instagram Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Prep From near death to Coach of the Year and Dakota Bowl champ 42m ago · By Matt Henson Prep Loboes rally back from 26-point deficit to win 9-man state crown 2h ago · By Andrew Haugland Prep Harvey-Wells County upends defending champ Langdon Area-Munich for 1A state title 4h ago · By Maxwell Marko ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Prep Day 1: 2026 NDHSAA State Girls Swimming and Diving Championships on WDAY+ 8h ago · By WDAY News Fargo Embattled recovery and reentry nonprofit F5 Project looks ahead after turbulent year 5h ago · By Tasha Carvell Local Teen bicyclist airlifted after being struck by pickup in Osage Township 8h ago · By Staff reports Fargo Fargo man arrested for DUI after car crashes onto gas pump 2h ago · By Hunter Schwartz