Onward Q&A: Jeremy Feller

MINOT, N.D. – Being close to family and friends has been a driving force in Jeremy Feller’s decision making.
When picking a college out of high school, his proximity to family — including his dad working at the University — helped guide the Surrey native’s decision and his growing family was a big part of his return to his alma mater to work as a development officer.
He now looks to help his extended Beaver family as the director of Beavers Boosters, raising funds for scholarships for the next generation of MSU student-athletes. The two-time graduate from MSU in corporate fitness (’07) and physical education (’09) combines his love for Minot State and his desire to help student-athletes, the same way the former All-DAC basketball player was helped during his time.
It’s tough to get a few minutes of Feller’s time, but University Communications has an inside track as our offices share a hallway, and we caught up with him to share some insights into his life and career in the newest installment of Onward.
Tell us about your journey to Minot State; what were some of the reasons you chose MSU to begin with?
JF: I never thought about playing sports in college. I was just enjoying high school and playing with some great people. During my senior year, I was offered a scholarship to play football at the University of Mary. Then, in December, I was playing basketball at the Velva Invite, and my parents were sitting in a few rows down as Minot State was asking about me. At that point, I switched my focus to basketball. It was not an easy decision right away as I have always had a love for baseball and Mayville was offering both baseball and basketball. I had a few Minot State influences in high school and my dad worked at MSU. At the end of the day, I wanted to stay home and play in front of family and friends. Family is important to me, and I have always wanted to stay close to home.
What was your experience as a student-athlete, and how did that experience shape your career?
JF: I loved my time at Minot State. I was blessed with some great teammates and coaches. We had a pretty close group my junior year when we made it to nationals and attended weekly bible studies with several players from both the men’s and women’s team.
Do you have a highlight or two of your time as a basketball player for MSU, both on or off the field?
JF: We set the school record for wins, hosted the Dac 10 championship game, and the overtime win (in the championship) was one of my greatest memories. It was fun to see the Dome full and loud.
You got into teaching and coaching after college was that basically what you had planned to do while getting your undergrad?
JF: When I first got to Minot State, I was heading down the path to a business career. I wanted to go into a career where you could get paid for your work ethic. Then, later in the first semester, our starting point guard was going to graduate with a physical education degree, and I remembered how much I liked my PE teacher, Mr. Homsey. I knew I wanted to teach and coach.
You were very successful in the coaching world; tell us about that experience and if you have some highlights you’d like to share.
JF: I was fortunate to have a lot of great kids and great families. Each year was special. The wins didn’t come early, but I remember someone encouraging me by saying year five, you have had a chance for everyone to have been in your program, and things will be fine. In year five at Our Redeemer’s Christian School, we set a new school record for wins each year, four seasons before finally making it to the State Class B Tournament in 2016, finishing runner-up and earning a 26-2 record.
Even more special than coaching great kids is getting to know their families and having the kids become a part of our family. We carried on the tradition of weekly Bible studies and team dinners in our home for the players and coaches and spent a lot of time together in the summers as we traveled together to many team camps. The lasting relationships with the kids who played on teams I coached is one reward that just keeps getting better. Now, many of the players are married and have kids of their own, and it’s neat to watch them grow up.
You then transitioned back to your alma mater to get into fundraising. How difficult was that decision, and what are some of the reasons for making the move?
JF: I’m not sure I was ready to be done coaching. I get asked a lot if I miss it. I definitely do. However, I am really enjoying being a father to my kids and being at all their activities.
Coming back to Minot State was an easy decision for me, outside of not coaching. I had reached out to Rick (Hedberg, vice president for advancement) about a possible job at the college a year or so before coming over. When this opportunity was presented about working at Minot State, I thought back to how much Minot State has meant to me and it was an easy decision. Now, in year eight, I am still enjoying everything I do, and the recent addition of helping the Beaver Booster Club raise money to impact our student-athletes has been really good.
What is a day in the life like for you with Beaver Boosters? What are some of the basics you do with the fundraising wing of athletics, and what are some of the bigger projects?
JF: Finding ways to continue to offer more scholarships for our student-athletes. We have added more ways to be a booster. You can now start your own scholarship endowment or give to an existing endowment and get booster credit. It’s a great way to leave a legacy and help our student-athletes.
Without giving us too many trade secrets, what are some big initiatives you are working on for the future?
JF: We are blessed to have so many loyal supporters. We keep trying to raise the bar each year on Beaver Booster memberships so we can continue to offer more scholarships for our student-athletes. My goal is to have more booster members than student-athletes. In order to do that, we need your help. Help us recruit a new member each year.
Going back to your time as a student-athlete, how important do you think those experiences are to help you sell the importance of giving back to MSU and the athletic department?
JF: My wife and I decided to start a scholarship endowment because we wanted to give back to all those who blessed us while we played. I was very thankful to receive a scholarship, and now that I’m able, it’s time to return the favor.
What do you like to do outside of work, hobbies, or other areas of interest?
JF: I spend most of my free time enjoying watching my kids’ sporting activities. I also have taken up reffing basketball and umping softball as ways to help give back.
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Published: 02/01/25