Football

Head Coach, Chuck Parsons

The 2007 season will be Coach Parsons first as Head Coach of the Wildcat Football Program. He spent the previous four seasons as Defensive Coordinator for the Wildcats, as well as, Assistant Head Coach during the 2006 season. Chuck inherits a team that has won two Graphic Edge Bowl games in the last five seasons. He helped the Wildcats to a 2005 Graphic Edge Bowl victory over Joliet Junior College. Coach Parsons’ defenses have traditionally been among the best in the conference and have been ranked as high as 7th nationally in Total Defense Coach Parsons has coached one 1st Team All-American (John West, University of Arkansas) and 22 All-Region players in his four seasons with the Wildcats. Coach Parsons works primarily with the defensive backs and will also coordinate the defense.

Coach Parsons comes to NDSCS from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he spent three seasons coaching on defense. In 2000 the NSU defense was ranked 3rd in Total Team Defense and 1st in Pass Defense among NCAA Division II teams. That season, NSU repeated as the Lone Star Conference champions and played in the NCAA DII playoffs for the second consecutive year. Prior to Northeastern State, Coach Parsons was at Southwest Minnesota State University; first as a member of the Mustang football team and then three seasons as an offensive coach working with the offensive line.

Coach Parsons continues a strong connection to North Dakota State College of Science; his grandfather, Charles Trapp was a 1947 graduate of the college, 1971 Alumnus of the Year and is a member of the NDSCS Hall of Fame. Chuck is originally from Georgetown, S.C., and resides in Wahpeton.

Wildcat Football Philosophy:

“Our program centers on the student-athlete. The primary focus of our program is to develop the student, develop the athlete and develop the individual. We will teach our players to set goals and priorities for their lives. We will teach them what it takes to be successful in their endeavors. We will establish a positive environment; a positive experience for the student-athletes in our program. Athletics is used to develop the athlete but, it can also be used to teach life skills that each student-athlete can rely on and apply in order to be successful in life. Lessons we teach are building blocks for success in academics, athletics and personal settings. Character, Discipline, Teamwork, Loyalty and a Strong Work Ethic will be the corner stones of our program. I believe these traits will not only lead to success, but help each player that comes through this program grow and mature as a person.”

Mike Shafer begins his seventh season as a member of the Wildcat staff. In addition to being the Wildcat’s Offensive Coordinator, he will assume the role of Assistant Head Coach. This will be Coach Shafer’s fourth season coaching the quarterbacks and running backs; he spent his first three seasons as the receivers coach. In 2005 and 2002, Coach Shafer coached in the Graphic Edge Bowl Game with wins over Joliet (2005) and Northland CC (2002). Since arriving at NDSCS, Coach Shafer has coached 4 All-Americans and 16 All-Region Players. In the previous two seasons, he has had a running back finish among the Top 5 rushing in the nation. During the last three seasons, the Wildcat running backs have finished either #1 or #2 in rushing, in the conference. Coach Shafer has also had his players earn “Conference Player of the Week” numerous times over the last three seasons. He also coordinates the Wildcat Football Camps which involves youth from the Wahpeton/Breckenridge community and surrounding area.

Before arriving at NDSCS, Coach Shafer was a high school teacher, assistant football coach and head track coach at Braham High School in Minnesota. In his first and only year as head track coach, Coach Shafer was named Conference Coach of the Year. Prior to Braham High School, he coached the running backs at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. He was also the Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator. In 1995 the University of Mary played in the NAIA Semi Final game against Central Washington University who was led by current NFL quarterback Jon Kitna (Detroit Lions).

Coach Shafer was an outstanding prep star at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck. As a senior, he helped lead his team to the 1991 North Dakota State Football Title over Jamestown which was led by MLB All-Star and Golden Glove winner Darin Erstad (Chicago White Sox). He was nominated as an All-State and All-Conference player in both his Junior and Senior years. Shafer began his collegiate career at NDSU as a Receiver/Returner where he was a member of the 1992 NCC championship team. Mike finished his career at the University of Mary and in 1994 was selected to the All-Conference Team as a Running Back.

Mike and his wife, Jennifer, have a son, Payton. They reside in Wahpeton.