Linn-Mar Football

Linn-Mar Gets a New Look

When planners of a sweeping update of Linn-Mar High School’s athletics complex took the first steps in that process, the athletes who will be using those facilities had not yet taken theirs. Some of them were not even born.

"I was the principal for 12 years and this project has been on the table for at least 15 years," said Jerry Van Dyke, who has remained closely involved with the high school in retirement as the coordinator/adviser on the project, which will be ready for use this Spring.

The need for action was obvious, especially during the rainy season. Venerable Armstrong Field, home to the Lions for half a century, is in the Indian Creek flood plain. As more and more land was developed, more and more water ended up where it shouldn’t have been.

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Garman commits to North Dakota

Linn-Mar tailback Jer Garman said Wednesday he has committed to play
football at the University of North Dakota next season.

Garman was honored as the 2010 Metro Player of the Year after rushing for
1,601 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns for the Lions.

North Dakota assistant coach Josh Kotelnicki visited Garman Tuesday night.
They played ping-pong and Garman offered Kotelnicki a deal, based on the
outcome of their match.

"I played a little trick on him," Garman said. "I told him if you win,
I'll commit to North Dakota. And if I win, I'll commit to North Dakota.

"I won," he reported.

Garman, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, said he picked North Dakota over the
University of Northern Iowa. He also had offers from Eastern Illinois and
South Dakota.

"It felt right," he said. "The coaches love me, and I love the coaches."

Garman visited the university in Grand Forks, N.D., in December, and North
Dakota head coach Chris Mussman visited Garman here a few weeks ago.
Mussman told Garman he'll have a chance to play as a true freshman in
2011 as a tailback and kick returner.

"If I'm the best one, they're going to play me," he said.

North Dakota competes in the Great West Conference, but plans to move to
the Big Sky Conference in 2012.

Garman is the career rushing leader at Linn-Mar and holds 12 school
records. He rushed for 1,861 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior.