Burgum presents 50th Rough Rider Award to SCHEELS chairman emeritus Steve D. Scheel in Fargo
Gov. Doug Burgum presented the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award to Steve D. Scheel, board chairman emeritus of the popular Fargo-based sporting goods, apparel and footwear retailer SCHEELS, highlighting his success in building a top retail brand and a culture of customer service, leadership and philanthropy in the employee-owned company.
Scheel is the 50th recipient of the Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens. He became president, CEO and chairman of SCHEELS in 1989. Under his leadership, the company grew to more than 13,000 associates and 34 stores in 16 states. SCHEELS operates the 25 largest sporting goods stores in the United States, including the world’s largest all sports stores at 331,000 square feet in Dallas, Texas, and Boise, Idaho.
Burgum noted that President Theodore Roosevelt left a legacy of leadership, stewardship and citizenship, “and Steve certainly embodies all of that.”
“For your service to the country, for your dedication to creating one of the largest, most successful retail companies in the nation, your extraordinary, generous philanthropic efforts, your support of family and community, your support of countless causes and projects – you, Steve, have proven that the American dream is alive and well and attainable for those that chase it, and you’ve created that American dream for thousands of other team members,” Burgum said.
Scheel was born in Fargo and graduated from Fargo Central High School before earning degrees in U.S. history, economics and political science from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer from 1969 to 1971. He started at SCHEELS as a delivery driver and salesperson, and later managed SCHEELS stores in Fargo, Casselton, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Scheel said he’s proud of the company’s employees and culture of philanthropy, adding it’s been a joy to see the difference that SCHEELS stores and people make in their communities.
“If there ever was a team Rough Rider Award, this would be it,” Scheel said. “College didn’t prepare me for this wonderful world of retail. I was simply lucky, blessed to be surrounded by absolutely incredible mentors early in my life and my career. They taught me how to approach life in this business, and I made so many mistakes along the way but just kept learning.”
Scheel is the fourth generation of his family to be involved in the SCHEELS company. He and his wife, Eileen, have five adult children and 15 grandchildren.
His daughter Christina Scheel Snider noted the foundation of SCHEELS began with Frederick A. Scheele starting a small hardware and general merchandise store in 1902 in Sabin, Minnesota.
“Over the past 122 years of business, SCHEELS has had many leaders who have become pillars in this foundation,” she said. “In his nearly 60 years with SCHEELS, my dad has emerged as its cornerstone.”
Matt Hanson, current CEO of SCHEELS, summed up Steve D. Scheel’s legacy in three words: vision, leadership and philanthropy, noting that each of the company’s 4,000 full-time employees receives $500 a year to give to anyone they feel is in need.
“It’s easy to look around Fargo-Moorhead and see all the good Steve has done,” Hanson said. “What you won’t see is all the other things he’s done anonymously. But even more important is how Steve has developed a culture of giving back in our 34 stores.”
The ceremony’s emcee, Monsignor James Patrick Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, said that because of Scheel’s Christian upbringing and convictions, patriotism and North Dakota values, “He knows that leadership is a moral activity. It’s not just something that you can learn from books. It is the science of character.”
Shea also highlighted Scheel’s generosity to the University of Mary and many other places.
“Steve loves giving. He is a man of joy, unfettered by selfish concern, and that is a man worth honoring in the way in which we do it this day,” he said.
The Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award recognizes present and former North Dakotans who have been influenced by the state in achieving national recognition in their fields of endeavor, thereby reflecting credit and honor upon North Dakota and its citizens. Established during the 1961 Dakota Territory Centennial, the award was initially given as an honorary rank of Colonel in the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders.
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe and State Historical Society Director Bill Peterson both concurred with Burgum’s selection of Scheel for the Rough Rider Award. During the ceremony, they assisted in unveiling the official portrait of Scheel, painted by Minot-based artist Vern Skaug, who since 1970 has painted many of the portraits hanging in the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of Fame at the North Dakota Capitol.
“Mine hasn’t been a job, hasn’t been a career. It’s been a love affair – a love affair with the retail business and our people at SCHEELS for over five decades. I want to thank every person, current and retired, who made that love affair possible,” Scheel said, adding that he still thinks of himself as the head cheerleader at SCHEELS. “Today and for the last 40 years, I have walked around in awe of what our great associates accomplish each day and when I open each new store. SCHEELS is an employee-owned company, and I believe our owners are the team that shares in this Rough Rider Award. So, thank you very much, everyone. It’s been a good day.”
Burgum celebrates statewide implementation of All Kids Bike Program
Gov. Burgum celebrated the statewide rollout of the All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program in North Dakota last week. North Dakota is the first state in the country to implement the All Kids Bike program statewide, marking a significant milestone in the program’s mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class.
Gov. Burgum visited the program-in-action at Will-Moore Elementary School to celebrate the state’s $1.5 million grant, delivering the All Kids Bike program to elementary schools throughout North Dakota with private sector contributions. At the event, Gov. Burgum recognized the collaboration with private sector donors BNSF Railway Foundation, SCHEELS Bismarck and MDU Resources Foundation supporting the effort to give kindergarteners statewide the opportunity to learn to ride a bike. The All Kids Bike program delivers everything a school needs, including a comprehensive curriculum, bikes and helmets to teach kindergarteners to ride a bike in PE class.
“North Dakota continues to demonstrate our commitment to becoming the healthiest state in the nation, and being the first state to provide the All Kids Bike program statewide will help us achieve that goal,” Burgum said. “Learning to ride a bicycle empowers students with a lifelong mode of transportation while also promoting physical activity and independence. We deeply appreciate our schools seizing this opportunity for their students, and we’re grateful to the private-sector partners whose generous contributions allowed us to make the Learn-to-Ride program available across the entire state.”
There are 238 active programs in the state of North Dakota, and of those, 223 schools were funded by this public-private collaboration. With this milestone, over 11,000 kids receive the opportunity to learn to ride a bike every year and over 100,000 kids will have the opportunity to learn to ride a bike over the 10-year lifespan of the programs in place.
Burgum appoints Lt. Daniel Haugen to serve as interim superintendent of North Dakota Highway Patrol
Gov. Burgum has appointed Lt. Daniel Haugen to serve as interim superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, effective Dec. 1. Col. Brandon Solberg is retiring from law enforcement Nov. 30 after nearly 6½ years as Highway Patrol superintendent.
Haugen has 24 years of experience in the Highway Patrol. He has served as field commander for the southwest region since May 2023, overseeing highway safety and criminal investigations on state property in a 17-county area. He previously served as the Highway Patrol’s training director for nearly nine years at the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bismarck, overseeing the training of approximately 800 peace officers. His Highway Patrol career began as a trooper in the northwest region from 2000 to 2008. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008, serving in the northeast and southwest regions.
Haugen earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Bismarck State College and a certificate in police management in 2009 from Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff & Command. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including as a military police officer in Okinawa, Japan, and Camp Pendleton, California.
Burgum expressed his gratitude for the service of Solberg, who has accepted another position in state government as director of the Facility Management Division in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), effective Dec. 1.
Burgum pardons Thanksgiving turkey at North Dakota Capitol
On Monday, members of the North Dakota Turkey Federation presented Gov. Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring with a live turkey for the traditional Thanksgiving pardoning, while highlighting the important work of two local charitable organizations.
The Turkey Federation donated 16 frozen turkeys each to the Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe and the Abused Adult Resource Center in Bismarck.
Burgum thanked Goehring, North Dakota Turkey Federation (NDTF) President David Muehler, NDTF representative Sharlene Wittenburg, Abused Adult Resource Center Executive Director Michelle Erickson and Heaven’s Helpers Soup Café Executive Director Mark Meier during the event for helping provide much-needed meals on Thanksgiving Day.
2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open
The North Dakota Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is back, inviting residents to capture the beauty and excitement of our state for a chance to win cash prizes and statewide recognition. This year’s contest is a partnership between the Governor's Office, AAA of North Dakota, North Dakota Tourism and the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
“North Dakota is a state of extraordinary beauty and diverse experiences, and this photo contest is a wonderful opportunity for residents to showcase what makes our state special,” Gov. Burgum said. “We encourage everyone to participate, capture the magic of our seasons, and share their unique perspectives with the world. Let’s celebrate North Dakota’s beauty together and inspire others to discover our great state.”
This year's theme highlights North Dakota's diverse seasons, showcasing the unique appeal of our state throughout the year. Photographers can submit entries in eight categories:
- Winter Scenery & Winter Activities
- Fall Scenery & Fall Activities
- Spring Scenery & Spring Activities
- Summer Scenery & Summer Activities
The contest is open to all North Dakota residents. Photographers can submit their entries online through Instagram, the contest website, or Flickr, or by mail. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2025.
Winners will be chosen in each category, with a grand prize winner receiving an additional cash prize and a free AAA membership. Winning photos will also be displayed in the State Capitol and used in promotional materials.
Full details and contest rules can be found at https://www.ndtourism.com/governors-photo-contest-entry.