GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Current football analyst for the Fighting Hawks Radio Network and former Grand Forks Central High School head coach Mike Berg will receive the UND Football Coaches Award of Merit this Saturday.

The UND Football Coaches Award of Merit is presented annually and honors local football coaches from around the area.

"Coach Berg contributed so much to the game of football during his 35-year coaching career," said Coach Bubba Schweigert. "During his retirement, he continues to grow and benefit the game through several avenues. He has an outstanding win-loss record, yet when you talk to his former players; his positive impact and influence he played in their lives are his most special achievement. Coach Berg is so deserving of the honor and recognition."

Berg, a native of Pasadena, Calif., spent 35 seasons as a football coach in Montana and North Dakota and spent his final 28 seasons at Grand Forks Central. He arrived at Central prior to the 1979 season and took over a program that had been struggling. During his time at Central, he led the Knights to the state playoffs 15 times and three state championship games before retiring following the 2006 season. Central lost the state title games in 1996 and 2004 but brought the school its first state championship in more than 50 years when it beat Fargo South, 39-29, in the 2005 state championship game.

Berg was named the 2007 NFL High School Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Black Hills State University, National High School Coaches, North Dakota High School Coaches, and Grand Forks Central Halls of Fame.

Most recently, Berg has been the color analyst for UND football radio broadcasts for 15 seasons. He also has a long association with the North Dakota Shrine Bowl, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Community Violence and Intervention Center.

North Dakota will host No. 5/5 South Dakota this Saturday at Noon. Fans can hear Coach Berg on the call on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network, with a pregame show starting at 11 a.m. The game will also air on Midco Sports.

UND Football Coaches Award of Merit
2024 – Mike Berg
2023 – Rick Manke
2022 – Dan Kostich
2021 – Mark Kroulik
2019 – Dan Imdieke
2018 – Fred Fridley

For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDfootball or visit FightingHawks.com.