For Bubba Schweigert, UND-NDSU game emotional affair
Oct. 14—GRAND FORKS — UND football's game against North Dakota State, on the schedule, looked like one game in the middle of the season.
It carried the emotions any rivalry does, but for UND coach Bubba Schweigert, the win over NDSU was more emotional than any other win he's experienced.
Schweigert choked back tears after the Hawks' 49-24 win Saturday. It had less to do with the play on the field and everything to do with the importance of the game — and the people who weren't at the Alerus Center to watch it.
"It's a very emotional day for me," he said. "When I got this job, I had a UND alum come visit in the office, and they said, 'Hey, somehow, you have to play North Dakota State.' Ten years ago, we weren't very good, but I said, 'OK, let's figure out a way to do it.' We make a two-for-none deal, and people think we're crazy. But I just feel this game is that important to the universities and to the region and to the state.
"I just really feel that. I grew up in small town North Dakota. And, (shoot), I didn't run fast enough to play here. I would've loved to play here at North Dakota. My oldest brother played here."
Schweigert fought tears. After a long pause, he said, "He would be enjoying this."
Schweigert was talking about his brother, Lowell Schweigert, who played quarterback at UND in 1976-1977. Lowell died suddenly Dec. 29, 2019.
Lowell Schweigert hosted the UND fan luncheon on Fridays for years. Part of his role included introducing the head football coach. When Bubba Schweigert took over the program 10 years ago, Lowell introduced his brother at every luncheon, tearing up every time.
Friday, ahead of the Hawks game against the Bison, Bubba Schweigert attended the luncheon. Just as he began talking, he paused and said, "Damn, I miss Lowell."
The win over NDSU is arguably a signature win for UND, and current players understood the importance of the win. But, for Schweigert, the game was more important to the legacy of UND football and to the players who came before.
"It meant so much to our program," he said. "That's what this game was about — for the people that came before. It's about the current guys, too, but it means so much more to our university."
