The Fairmont Area Football Team
2024 FAIRMONT CARDINALS FOOTBALL TEAM:
- Front Row: Jerry Lebbi, Hunter Sommer, Mac Anderson, Isaac Taplin, Jacob Porter, Asst. Coach Jesse Walters, Asst. Coach Brian Wille, Head Coach Mat Mahoney, Asst. Coach Brad Johnson, Asst. Coach Shawn Chambers, Ryan Szafryk, Seth Siebring, Caiden Uttech, Caine Gronewald, Ethan Darnell, Calvin Foster-Boswink, Dayton Draper.
- Second Row: Wyatt McGowan, Cody Reeves, Kaden Bell, Ethan Siebring, Tavian Harvey, Jaron Schutz, Elijah Johnson, Caleb Chambers, Jordan Thompson, Merritt Pomerenke, Dakota Wiley, Bryce Roeschen, Kayden Williams, Allen Szafryk, Landen Traetow, Brayden Williamson.
- Third Row: Chase Birr, Mason Ingvoldstad, Andres Rodas, Benet Mathiason, Joe Long, Max Nielsen, Ty Kolbe, Joey Crissinger, Hadan Toomer, Owen Terfehr, Ivan Martin, Johnny Fernandez, Jacob Ehlert, Angel Barajas, Ben Sunken
- Fourth Row: Marcus Gamboa, Trayvon Harvey, Tyler Bicknase, Ty Tumbleson, Hank Artz, Nolan Schultze, Mathew Martin, Aaris White, Ethan Farnum.
- Fifth Row: Hunter Johnson, Brett Williams, David Miller, Trevor Maakestad, Oliver Tordsen, Lucas Rosburg, Nolan Anderson, Reed Johnson, Vincent Schultz, Cole Brockmann.
(Photo courtesy of Randy Chirpich/Fairmont Sports)
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Welcome
We would like to invite you to become part of the Cardinal football program in Fairmont by participating on a tackle football team in the fall. 2024 marks the 19th year of tackle football for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade boys. The results have been very positive for the boys involved. They had fun, learned principles of teamwork and sportsmanship, and began developing the fundamental skills of football.
RULES AND GOALS
- To Develop Fundamental Football Skills
- To Work and Play as a Team, NOT as an Individual
- To Have FUN at Practices and Games
- To Do Our Best at ALL Times
- To Maintain Good Sportsmanship at ALL Times
ELEMENTARY FOOTBALL REGISTRATION & INFORMATION
Registration is Open
Fairmont coaching legend Jim Simser passes away
By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor
FAIRMONT – From an early age, we are taught that death is inevitable. What each individual does with one’s unknown allotted time on earth is the key to life.
When I learned of Jim Simser’s passing from Fairmont High School activities director and head football coach Mat Mahoney on Friday afternoon, my heart sank even though I knew the former FHS athletic director and legendary Cardinal football mentor’s time with us was drawing to a close.
While the grief I felt for my own personal loss of the man I simply called “Coach” made a tear roll down my cheek, the one consolation I possessed was having the chance to have known him for more than half of my life in my job as a sports writer.
I remember his firm handshake, genuine smile and gentlemanly demeanor when I first met him when he accepted the inevitable task of replacing one of the Minnesota prep football rank’s greatest coaches of all-time in Thomas Mahoney on the Fairmont sideline in the fall of 1990.
“Sports writer – hmmm. Heard you cover games from the sideline. There is a press box, you know,” said Simser, who raised his eyebrows in jest before grinning. “Earn that position and it’s yours.”
For the next 10 fall seasons, I felt privileged to watch the former New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva coaching great evolve into a legend in Fairmont football lore. His coaching style was unique – reserved and respectful while knowledgeable and confident all at the same time.
Prior to his arrival in Fairmont, he had guided New Richland-Hartland to four state appearances, including the Class ‘C’ championship in 1976 and the Class ‘B’ crown in 1978, and was tabbed the 1978 Minnesota Coach of the Year for his coaching prowess. He also served as the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s executive secretary for numerous years after accepting the role in 1986.
He added three more state bids to his Hall of Fame coaching resume from 1990-99, engineering the Cardinals’ first-ever appearance in the Class ‘A’ state semifinals at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis in 1992 before reaching the quarterfinals in back-to-back style in 1996 and 1997. He also led Fairmont to five South Central Conference championships during his 10-year tenure.
While he closed out his esteemed 32-year high school football coaching career with a 223-91-1 record to earn his rightful places in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015, he took great solace in being a beloved husband, father, coach, teacher and friend.
While the love of his life for half of a century, Winn Ann, passed away in the fall of 2013, Jim is survived by four sons – Bill, Mike, Mark and Dave – and their respective families.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM Friday, Oct. 25, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, with military honors to take place afterward. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Jim honorably served a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific after graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University in 1961.
Visitation will take place from 4-7 PM Thursday, Oct. 24, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Thank you for your integrity, kindness, witty humor and insight into what’s truly important in life.
Rest in peace, “Coach.”