Kretchman left mark as Otter, Bison star

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, April 7, 2008

Otter athletes come and go, with some starring in college athletics. Two decades ago one of the premier NDSU football players was Fergus High grad Len Kretchman, who last fall was inducted into the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame.

NDSU is in the news these days, with spring practice, and the Bison progressing in Division I athletics. Kretchman and his teammates helped set the stage for the move from Division II to Division I.

Fergus fans remember Kretchman, a 1984 Fergus High grad, as an explosive running back for the Otters. Bison fans recall Kretchman as an outstanding receiver for NDSU when the former Otter helped the Bison win three NCAA Division II national championships during the late 1980s.

The defining moment for Kretchman, which vaulted him to Bison glory, took place in 1988, when, during a game against the University of Northern Colorado, the former Otter caught five passes for 232 yards to establish an NDSU single-game yardage record.

“I’ve always been in favor of NDSU moving to Division 1,” Kretchman said. “It’s a good thing not only for the football program, but also for the university as a whole.”

In 1988, his senior year, Kretchman was named to the All-North Central Conference first team.

He was named an All-American by Associated Press and the Football Gazette in 1988. The Fergus High grad was a four-year starter and four-year letterman for the Bison from 1985 to 1988.

He led NDSU in receiving as a sophomore and junior and finished with 84 career catches for 1,915 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The yards and TDs were career records when he graduated. He’s currently third all-time in receiving yards and second in TD receptions at NDSU.

Kretchman caught six touchdown passes in NCAA playoffs.

Gus Bradley, a free safety and punter for the Bison, was Kretchman’s roommate at NDSU during the 1980s. Bradley currently serves as linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers professional football team.

“I get to Florida now and then for business, and it’s great to get together with Gus on those occasions,” Kretchman said. “We’ve both appreciated our long-time friendship.”

In addition to being on three NCAA Division II national championship teams for NDSU, the Fergus High grad has lots to look back on as an Otter athlete in Fergus Falls.

He was a three-sport high school athlete in football as tailback, a guard in basketball, and sprinter and hurdler in track and field.

Kretchman took part in state competition in all three sports.

He was an all-state high school football player and played in the high school all-star football game.

Kretchman entered the Bison Hall of Fame last fall with some good company. Among them is football Harlon Hill winner and All-America quarterback Chris Simdorn (1987-90).

Some long-time Otter basketball fans recall Kretchman’s game-winning basket, from three-quarters the length of the court, against Staples in a regular season game played in Fergus Falls.

For his part, Kretchman, like his wife, Emily (Stricker), looks more to the present and future than to the past. That’s especially true while they follow the good fortunes of sophomore daughter, Chloe, a member of the F-M Acro Team, seventh-grader, Elly, a track and dance participant and fifth-grader, Maggie, who participates in volleyball and basketball.

Kretchman, a Fergus Falls resident and successful businessman, is a real credit to both the Otter and Bison traditions.

Tom Hintgen is a reporter with The Daily Journal. His column runs Mondays.