A native of Ashley, N.D., Bryan Klipfel was an offensive center on one of the most dominating football teams in UND history, the 1975 team that posted an undefeated 9-0 regular season before losing in the NCAA playoffs to Livingston.
Klipfel helped anchor a UND offense in 1975 that racked up a school-record total of 3,100 rushing yards in the regular season (344.4 per game average). The 1975 UND offense also averaged a school-record 424.7 yards per game in total offense.
Klipfel was a two-time (1974, 1975) All-NCC center and earned third team All-American honors in 1975. He was also voted the NCC's most valuable lineman in 1975 as well as UND's most valuable lineman in 1975. He also was an NCC All-Academic team selection in 1975.
Klipfel redshirted the 1972 season and then was a three-year starter (73-75) and letterwinner for the Sioux.
The 6-2, 222-pound Klipfel was one of three team captains in 1975 and was one of 69 players to be named to UND's All-Century Football Team in 1994.
He graduated from UND in 1975 with a bachelor's degree and is working to complete his master's degree in public administration from UND.
Klipfel is currently the superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, a position he was appointed to by North Dakota Governor John Hoeven in 2003. He began his career as a NDHP trooper in Rolla (1977-79) and Minot (1979-82) and later served as a district sergeant (1982-84) and district commander (1989-92) in Williston, N.D., training director (1992-95) and administrative services commander (1995-2003) in Bismarck, N.D.
Klipfel credits UND for preparing him both academically and socially to succeed in a "diverse and complex society."
He says that his "experiences with UND athletics, the hard work, dedication, teamwork and friendships will always be part of my life."
Klipfel and his wife Bonnie, who attended UND from 1971-73, reside in Bismarck. Klipfel has several hobbies, including biking, working on hobby farm and officiating football.
