Affinity in athletics: Building bonds beyond competition

Long after the cheers have faded and the scoreboard has dimmed, the benefits of UND’s principled commitment to athletics carry on, writers say

Editor’s note: The following letter, written by Erik Martinson, deputy athletics director/COO at UND; Julia Matthews, a UND graduate student and track and field athlete; and Dan Mikkelson, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edgewood Real Investment Trust, introduces a special edition of UND Today devoted to the Affinity core value of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan.

As readers know, UND Today focuses on UND LEADS core values in our issue published on the last Tuesday of each month. This means that each of the stories in today’s issue centers on a UND program or activity that reflects the plan’s core value of Affinity.

To continue the monthly UND Today series, our issue on Jan. 27, 2026, will be devoted to the “Discovery” core value.

Comments or questions? Contact Tom Dennis, UND Today editor, at tom.dennis@UND.edu. Thank you for reading!

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By Erik Martinson, Julia Matthews and Dan Mikkelson

Affinity is about connection — creating a sense of belonging that unites people around shared values and experiences. Athletics embodies this principle by serving as a powerful bridge between campus and community.

That’s why, at the University of North Dakota, the “Affinity” core value of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan includes this commitment: “Strengthen athletic excellence at UND by supporting our student athletes and enhancing our athletic facilities.”

When we talk about athletic excellence, we’re not only referring to wins and championships. We’re talking about the relationships forged through sport, the commitment to making the very best use of our facilities and the pride that resonates across our city, state and region.

Supporting our student-athletes and enhancing facilities are critical steps toward strengthening this bond. An investment in Athletics signals our commitment to success both on and off the field, court and ice. These efforts cultivate an environment where students thrive, alumni feel connected, and fans rally together under the Green and White.

Athletics also serves as a community asset. Game days bring thousands together, creating traditions that span generations. Facility rentals, track meets, youth games, clinics and partnerships with local organizations extend this impact beyond campus, inspiring future leaders and fostering a culture of togetherness.

Here’s what we mean.

‘Nothing short of amazing’

One of us, Julia Matthews, is an honors graduate from UND who’s now a UND graduate student in Forensic Science. “In addition, I also compete as a student-athlete on the women’s track and field team in shot put, hammer and weight throw,” Julia says.

“My time at UND has been nothing short of amazing. The professors, coaches, support staff and my teammates have truly made this place feel like home.

“Over the past four years, I’ve been fortunate enough to see how much time, energy and care the University and alumni invest into athletics. Even small improvements, like no longer having to walk under the Columbia bridge to reach sports medicine, have made a huge difference in our daily lives.

“The addition of the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center has been truly life changing,” Julia continues. “Its state-of-the-art design not only improves our training but also centralizes everything we need before, during and after practice.

“In a place where winters can be brutally cold, having one accessible, indoor home base has been amazing. Before this facility, walking to the Hyslop Sports Center to lift meant completely cooling down after practice and then having to re-warm up before lifting due to the cold.

“Academically, having our support staff in a single, easily accessible location has been invaluable,” says Julia. “As student-athletes, time management is everything, and these facilities allow us to better balance academics, training and recovery. They’ve also created a stronger sense of community, bringing all student-athletes together in a shared space where we can connect and support one another.

“My experience has been a testament to how UND continues to strengthen athletic excellence by supporting student-athletes and enhancing the facilities that make our success possible,” she concludes.

Character on and off the field

Another of us, Dan Mikkelson, is a Class of 1990 alum who can testify to how the ripple effects of athletic excellence – and the character development it can foster – extend beyond campus to improve Grand Forks and North Dakota’s quality of life.

“I am a lifelong resident of Grand Forks,” says Dan. “I have been involved with our family’s real estate and property management business in Grand Forks and have continued in its endeavors. Currently I serve as chairman of the Board of Edgewood Real Estate Investment Trust, which has real estate holdings in 14 states.

“My father, the late Francis (Fritz) Mikkelson, instilled in me that building a good business in Grand Forks requires a obligation to support UND because it benefits both the University and the community as well. Athletics in particular serves as the face of the university by bringing people together and enhancing community spirit.

“Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with and subsequently employing several student athletes. I always found them to be hard working, of good character and great to work with.

“My wife Jolene, ’98, and son Tommy and I have enjoyed and admired the way student athletes and coaching staff go above and beyond to help support many community organizations,” Dan continues.

“Specifically, we’re thinking about Special Olympics, in which our son competes. Tommy has been involved with Special Olympics for about 20 years, and has benefitted from the support and involvement of the UND student athletes and coaches. Their involvement truly enriches the lives of all the special-needs athletes and volunteers.

“It’s a pleasure for us to support the students in their academic pursuits and success,” Dan concludes. “Moreover, we enjoy watching and supporting UND’s student athletes, who are to dedicated to their sport as well as studies, and yet take part in very meaningful community activities.

“All in all, it’s rewarding for us to see student athletes thrive and contribute to help UND flourish, as well as becoming successful assets to their communities after graduation.”

UND LEADS

In experiences such as those described above, affinity becomes tangible. It’s the shared cheer in the stands, the handshake after a hard-fought game, the warmth of an indoor facility, the availability of an open field and the sense of pride that binds UND to Grand Forks and beyond.

By championing athletic excellence, UND strengthens affinity — not just within our university, but across the entire community we serve.

About the authors:

Erik Martinson serves as deputy athletics director/COO at the University of North Dakota. Julia Matthews is a UND graduate student and track and field athlete, and Dan Mikkelson is chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edgewood Real Investment Trust.

All three writers are graduates of UND.

>> Questions or comments about the UND LEADS Strategic Plan? Your thoughts are welcome! Please contact Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, or Anna Marie Kinney, coordinator of the University Writing Program, the co-chairs of the UND LEADS Implementation Committee. You also may offer your thoughts by visiting the UND LEADS Strategic Plan home page and clicking on the “Provide your feedback” link.

Thank you for your support of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan!