Editor's Note: NDHSAA Media Specialist Tom Mix will periodically feature former student athletes and participants of NDHSAA-sponsored sports and activities on the NDHSAA NOW website (www.ndhsaanow.com).

This week's NDHSAA Member School Alumni Spotlight shines on Jim Kleinsasser, a 1995 graduate of Carrington High School. Below is a list of accomplishments in Kleinsasser's athletic career that started as a three-sport star for the Cardinals.

JIM KLEINSASSER - PREP ATHLETIC STANDOUT AT CARRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATION YEAR: 1995

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC CAREER

FOOTBALL

• Letter winner for the Cardinals in football.

• Two-time All-Region selection

• Two-time North Dakota High School Coaches Association All-State selection 

• 1994-1995 North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year Award winner in football.

BASKETBALL

• Letter winner for the Cardinals in basketball.

• North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Class B All-State Second Team Basketball selection in 1995 (senior season).

• 1995 All-District 8 Team selection.

• 1995 All-Region 4 Team selection.

• Member of Carrington’s 1995 NDHSAA Class B Boys Basketball State Championship team. Carrington defeated Grenora 41-30 in the 1995 Class B title game.

• Named to All-Tournament Team and Tournament MVP following the 1995 state title game.

• Finished his prep basketball career with 1,108 points.

TRACK & FIELD

• Letter winner for the Cardinals in track and field.

• 1995 Class B state champion in the shot put and discus.

• Throw in the 1995 shot put (62 feet, two inches) was a new Class B state record, which still stands today.

• Throw in the 1995 discus (183 feet, 11 inches) was a new Class B and overall state record at the time. Both marks have since been broken.

• 1994 Class B state champion in shot put.

• 1993 Class B state champion in discus.

COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CAREER

• Played football at the University of North Dakota from 1995 to 1998.

• Two-time NCAA Division II All-American at tight end (1997 and 1998).

• Three-time All-North Central Conference First Team Selection.

• Helped UND to a 32-10 four year record during his time at the school with two appearances in the NCAA Division II National Playoffs.

• Member of UND’s 1995 North Central Conference championship team.

• 1999 Senior Bowl starter.

• Also played Basketball at UND his freshman year (1995-1996).

• In 1998 (senior season) was the only Division II player in the nation to be selected as a Gannett News Service All-American Football Team.

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CAREER

• Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (44th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft.

• Played 13 seasons in the NFL (all with the Minnesota Vikings as a tight end and fullback).

• Started 130 games of 181 games played for the Minnesota Vikings. 

• Finished his professional football career with 192 receptions for 1,688 yards and six touchdowns.

• Also rushed for 147 yards in his career with one touchdown.

• Ranks second in team history for career starts at the tight end position with 119.

• Ranks fourth in team history for career receptions by a tight end.   

• Played in a total of seven playoff games in his NFL career with the Vikings making a total of seven catches for 85 yards.

OTHER HONORS

• 1995 NDAPSSA High School Male Athlete of the Year Award winner.

• Member of the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.

• 2012 NDAPSSA Special Achievement Award winner for his professional football career with the Minnesota Vikings