By Liz Myscofski, Director of Development
The 47th Annual Bob Burns Dakota Bowl once again showcased the enduring spirit of the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools community, bringing together alumni, families, and students for a weekend of tradition, fellowship, and celebration.
The event, which raised $130,000 in support of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools, has grown well beyond its roots. The two-day celebration featured football and cheer camps with more than 450 students from kindergarten through sixth grade, a free Kids Zone inflatable area for families of elementary students, and a lively Friday Night Out with live music, a band performance, a beer garden, and pizza trucks. The evening also served as the setting for six alumni reunions, drawing graduates from across generations back to campus.
John Stassi, Class of 2011 and Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Foundation Coordinator shares,
“The Bob Burns Dakota Bowl isn’t just a football game... It’s a reunion of the O’Gorman family. From Friday night’s Knight Out, where alumni gather to laugh, reconnect, and share stories from their days at O’Gorman, to walking back onto campus Saturday for the game... it all brings back the same sense of pride and community we felt as students. The lights, the crowd, the music... Everything about it reminds you why being part of this community has always felt like being part of something bigger. You can feel the magic the moment you arrive: classmates reconnecting, families gathering, and the band filling the air with that familiar fight song. It’s more than a tradition... it’s a celebration of faith, friendship, and the Knight spirit that never fades. The Bob Burns Dakota Bowl will always feel like coming home.”
Many alumni returned to their old stomping grounds to celebrate milestone class reunions and experience the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl together.
“We feel 18 again!”
Exclaimed Jean Staebell Ollerich, Class of 1966. Jean and her husband Jerry, also a 1966 graduate, loved the energy and excitement surrounding the event. Jean commended the Development Department for creating such a welcoming atmosphere where alumni could relax and reconnect with longtime friends.
“To visit with classmates who are now grandparents of current O’Gorman students and to hear their joyous accounts of their grandchildren's accomplishments at our alma mater puts everyone in good spirits."
Jess Paulson Karim, Class of 1995, shared,
“Celebrating our class reunion during the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl made for a special weekend for our classmates. Some enjoyed the live music Friday, and on Saturday, we held a class tailgate while watching the game. It was nostalgic being back in the O’G parking lot, where we shared so many memories. Most of all, it gave us the opportunity to be part of old traditions — and new ones — that are the foundation of the O’Gorman community.”
Jill McClung Barch, Class of 2000, a current O’Gorman parent and sidelines cheer coach, also reflected on the full-circle moment of participating in the Bob Burns Dakota Bowl as a student, parent, and coach.
“It’s wonderful that the planning is already done — you have a location and time, the school and parking lot bring back memories for those who haven’t been back in years, and you get to see people from other classes, too!”
The Bob Burns Dakota Bowl continues to unite generations of Knights, celebrating the legacy and love for O’Gorman that grows stronger each year. We look forward to welcoming even more alumni back for the 48th Annual Bob Burns Dakota Bowl in August 2026!