Big weekend in Frisco for Polansky

What a weekend for NDSU Receiver Daniel Polansky! Between being presented with the “NCAA Elite 90” award, and then being a part of the Thundering Herd when they collected their 6th Division 1 FCS title, it was a big weekend in Frisco, Texas, to say the least.

Before the much anticipated FCS Championship game against James Madison on Saturday, there was a banquet held the prior day where Grygla High School alumnus, Daniel Polansky, received a top honor. 

“I’d like to say I didn’t come here to play school but that’d be a lie. It’s a great honor to receive this award, said Polansky, who was presented with the “NCAA Elite 90” award at the NCAA Division I Football Championship banquet on January 5th in Frisco, Texas.

Polansky, from Gatzke, maintained a 4.0 GPA and graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and added, “I also fulfilled my recruiting promise to be a team GPA booster.” 

The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships.

Come Saturday morning, the Bison faced top-seeded defending national champion James Madison at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco. With a 17-13 victory, North Dakota State University won their sixth title in seven years! 

Polansky’s time on the Bison roster has officially come to an end, but he went out in style with plenty of family and friends in Frisco to celebrate with him. 

He has now begun working full-time in Electronic Design at John Deere Electronic Solutions in Fargo, ND.