From Blue Hawk to Hawk

Written by: Rachel Goslinga, Dickinson State University Athletic Communication Specialist, Courtesy of Dickinson State University

Ed: The following article covers our High School Girls Basketball and Cross Country Coach, Ashley Emmons.

They say everything happens for a reason – and that is true for Ashley (Bakich) Emmons's college choice. The Colstrip, Montana, native was on her way back home from a campus visit at another university when she and her family made a last-minute decision to stop at Dickinson State University (DSU) and tour the campus.

"I had known about the great education program DSU offered so I wanted to look around," said Emmons.

After contacting the school and going on an official visit, it was the campus feel, the women's basketball team, and the staff and faculty that left a lasting impression on Emmons.

"I scrimmaged with the women's basketball team during my visit and was offered a scholarship," said Emmons. "I accepted and was thrilled to be heading to DSU!"

Emmons, who double majored in elementary education and exercise science, competed on the women's basketball team and was a member of the women's track team in her junior and senior seasons. During her time in a Blue Hawk basketball uniform, Emmons and her teammates made noise in her senior campaign. Despite going 8-21 overall just a season prior, the Blue Hawks powered their way to a 26-7 record a year later – which still stands as the most wins in program history. Furthermore, the Blue Hawks captured the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) regular season and conference tournament championships.

After winning the DAC conference tournament, the Blue Hawks punched their ticket to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament. The Blue Hawks defeated their first two opponents before falling to College of the Ozarks (Point Lookout, Missouri) by a score of 69-56 in the Elite Eight.

Following her remarkable senior exhibition on the court, Emmons was named the DAC's Most Valuable Senior and Defensive Player of the Year. Although she recognizes those were individual accomplishments, she knows she couldn't have achieved those accolades without the help of her coaches and teammates.

"I learned right away that no matter what sport you are participating in, there is nothing more important than your teammates," said Emmons. "It took all of us to be successful and by coming together, we were able to achieve success none of us would have had on our own."

On the student side of being a student-athlete, Emmons garnered the DSU Outstanding Graduate Award in the spring of 2009. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon graduating seniors by the University. To be eligible for the award, graduating seniors must be nominated by faculty in their academic departments for exceptional performance in their fields of study.

"Choose a career path that will make you happy in your life," said Emmons. "You can always change your mind along the way, but keep your big picture in mind. DSU can be the best time of your life and can help jump-start you to having a very successful future! Oh, and hit the books and try to be in contact with your professors – they are there to help you along the way!"

Following graduation in 2009, Emmons coached basketball for one year for the Heart River Cougars in South Heart, North Dakota. During the summer of 2010, Emmons moved with her family and currently lives at Emmons Ranch, near Broadus, Montana.

"I coach basketball and cross-country at Broadus High School," said Emmons. "I recently earned my 100th coaching victory as a head basketball coach. I was also fortunate to help create the cross-country program at the school and have coached the team in the first three years of the program."

When asked what she has taken away from her time as a student-athlete at DSU, there was nothing but positive feedback – especially when it comes to her teammates that ultimately became a part of her DSU family.

"I forged some of the best friendships a person could ever imagine," stated Emmons. "During my last two years at DSU, we seemed to have a great mixture of personalities that really balanced each other out and enabled us to come together as more of a family than a team."

Emmons followed, "A big part of that was our coach Guy Fridley. He was the reason we all felt like a family. He helped all of us along the way and is a person I look up to and really enjoy catching up with."

"Ashley was one of the cornerstones of our basketball program," stated current Dickinson High School Athletic Director Guy Fridley. "Her determination and will to win was like none other. Her work ethic stood out to everyone that came into contact with. Ashley is the best defensive player that I have ever coached. I am so proud of what Ashley accomplished at DSU and am also proud of the mom and wife she is today."

She and her husband, Patrick Emmons (DSU Class of `07), have four beautiful children, Reece (10), Maci (8), Trace (7), and Quincy (4).

"By embracing my team and committing to the program and my studies, I learned to give my best effort in everything I do," said Emmons. "This concept has carried over to my life as a wife, mother and coach."