STURGIS, S.D. – With a nod to the Scoopers Sports program and those who have and do participate and support Sturgis high school sporting events, KBHB ‘The Big 81’ News & Sports Director Gary Matthews, along with six others, was inducted into the Sturgis Brown High School Hall of Fame, Thurs., February 20, 2025.
Other inductees include Mike Friedel (Coach), Rod Mundt (Coach), Morgan Engbrecht (Athlete), Will John Johnson (Athlete), Jacob Simmons (Athlete) and Terry Anderson, (Contributor).
Gary “Matthews” Maki, Contributor
While growing up in the Cowboy State, Gary loved radio from the time he was a kid…particularly sports broadcasting.
His talent in calling sports and his ‘love of the game,’ would become evident in his professional career that has seen multiple broadcasting awards on both a national and state level.
Hailing from Saratoga, WY, Gary attended Black Hills State University (BHSU), beginning in the fall of 1990. He worked at the college radio station KBHU where he began honing his skills in play-by-play commentary, interviews and analysis of Yellow Jacket games in all sports divisions. He also served as the station’s Program and News Director, determining coverage and programming in a college radio format.
He was inducted into the KBHU College Radio Hall of Fame in 2024.
Following graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications, Gary signed on with KSQY Radio in Deadwood, S.D., a powerhouse recognized as one of the highest rated album-oriented rock stations in the U.S. KSQY has a storied history, beginning broadcasting from a tower on the summit of Terry Peak in Lead, S.D.
An opportunity to expand his professional work experience came in 1995 with another broadcasting powerhouse; KBHB Radio, Sturgis, S.D. He currently serves as News/Sports Programming Director for the well-known radio station that broadcasts into five states.
His is a recognized voice across the state in sports broadcasting and he is considered as ‘The Voice of the Sturgis Scoopers.’ KBHB sports listeners point to his ability to ‘bring the game into the room,’ with sports acumen, familiarity with athletes and relatability to Scoopers and sports fans in general.
He is a five-time Associated Press News Award winner, an Associated Press Sportscast of the Year winner, A South Dakota Associated Press Broadcast winner, a Distinguished Service Award recipient from the Sturgis Booster Club and the winner of the Tom Brokaw Award for Excellence in Broadcasting presented by the University of South Dakota Media and Journalism Department and the South Dakota Broadcaster’s Association. In 2024, Black Hills State University / KBHU Radio welcomed him as a Hall of Fame inductee.
Terry Anderson, Contributor
Terry and his family moved to Sturgis in 2010 after retiring from the U.S Army to start a new civilian career as a Background Investigator for the U.S. Government. He attended Black Hills State University, Thomas Edison State College and Touro University International, earning a master’s degree in educational leadership.
He developed a love for sports from his father, Ken, who was a three-sport athlete at Newell High School and holds the single season touchdown record for the Irrigator football team, scoring 19 touchdowns in six- man football during his senior season in 1949. Anderson played football, basketball and ran track for the Irrigators and was part of the state semi-final football squad in 1982 and the Region 8 runner up basketball team in 1984. He competed in the mile relay and the 800-meter run at the South Dakota State Track Meet.
Anderson graduated from Newell High School in 1984. Anderson learned the basics of play-by-play sports announcing at Black Hills State University and secured his first commercial radio job with KBFS in Belle Fourche, then went on to work at KSQY in Deadwood. Anderson continued his broadcasting career in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany, South Korea, Afghanistan, Texas, Hawaii and Washington, DC. He coached his kid’s soccer and basketball teams at military bases around the globe.
He came on board with KBHB News/Sports Program Director Gary Matthews as the color commentator in 2014, providing statistics and analysis for Sturgis Scooper football, basketball and baseball teams. In the subsequent years, KBHB has expanded to cover volleyball, soccer, softball and wrestling. Anderson writes up detailed game recaps for the KBHB website after each game and produces radio stories and features on Scooper athletes.
Anderson is married to Pam, who worked at Sturgis Brown High School for 12 years as the Attendance Secretary and they have three daughters, all SBHS graduates: Allison, Courtney and Kirsten. He is a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus, enjoys working out at Sturgis CrossFit, baking sourdough bread, playing his guitar and riding his mountain bike in his free time.
Mike Friedel, Coach
Mike started his career in the Meade School District in 1992, teaching Physical Education at Sturgis Williams Middle School, being an assistant coach for boys’ basketball, and coaching middle school girls’ basketball. The following year, Mr. Friedel was hired as the head coach of the varsity girls’ basketball team and added physical education at Whitewood Elementary to his teaching. He taught Physical Education at SWMS and Whitewood for his remaining 28 years in Meade School District.
Coach Friedel, called Fri by most, was hired in 1993 as head coach of varsity girls’ basketball team while still serving as an assistant for the boys’ program. Friedel served as head girls’ basketball coach for the next 21 years. His girls’ teams had 7 state tournament appearances with the best finishes being 1998 &1999 when the Scoopers finished 2nd both years.
During Coach Friedel’s tenure in the district, he coached at various levels. Along with head girls’ basketball, he served as the head boys’ basketball coach for 2 years. Fri was also an assistant basketball coach with both boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball programs, middle school boys’ and girls’ basketball, and assistant middle school track coach. During his varsity coaching career, Coach Friedel was named Greater Dakota Conference Coach of the year in 1998 and Region IX Coach of the year in 2009.
Coach Friedel finished his career in the Meade School District in 2021. His home is still in Sturgis with his wife Rhea, where he currently owns and operates his business, Friedel Painting
Rod Mundt, Coach
Rod Mundt attended high school in Grand Island, NE, and sparked his life-long love of wrestling when he made the varsity team in his sophomore year. He finished high school at RC Central and was part of the 1965 championship wrestling team. Rod graduated from Black Hills State, served in the army at Ft. Hood, TX, and taught in Montrose, where he coached the high school wrestling team to a winning season in 1977.
Rod taught middle school P.E. and coached in Sturgis for 27 years. “Coach Mundt” was well-liked by his athletes and the dedication and hard work that he put in was evident in the relationships he built with them. He was an assistant middle school track coach, specializing in long distance, and a 9th grade football coach. His passion was high school wrestling, and his coaching style was simple: “outwork your opponent.” He was awarded the South Dakota Assistant Coach of the year on two occasions and received the Black Hills Nationals lifetime achievement award. Rod was on the coaching staff of numerous Black Hills Conference championship teams, the State Champion Dual teams of 2001, 2002, and 2004, and the State Championship team of 2002.
Rod retired in 2004 and became an avid fan, attending many home matches and state championships. He passed away in the spring of 2020 and left a legacy of athletics, especially wrestling, to his children and grandchildren, many of whom participate in the sport. He was very proud of his children, Rory and Amber, and would be exceptionally proud of the accomplishments of his six grandchildren. He is grateful to have been a part of the Sturgis Wrestling Dynasty and to be part of a community that allowed him to foster his passion for athletics in others.
Morgan Engbrecht, Athlete
Morgan Engbrecht is a graduate of the 2012 SBHS class. A wrestler at heart, he also participated in cross country, golf and choir. Coached by Steve Keszler, Morgan compiled a career record of 134 wins and 2 losses. He was a three-time South Dakota Class A State Champion and earned the title of 2012 Class A Outstanding Wrestler. He also gained national recognition as a NHSCA All-American in 2012.
Morgan was a key member of the 2010 Sturgis State Championship team, which set a state record with 222 team points, and also helped lead the Scooper teams of 2011, and 2012 to 2nd and 4th place finishes respectively. Morgan went on to be a 5 year letter winner at Augustana University, where he studied business administration
His success was supported by the unwavering love and sacrifices of his parents, Orrin and Jenny, who instilled in him the values of dedication and perseverance.
Now living in Brandon with his wife, Shelby, and children, Rome and Evie, Morgan continues to give back to the sport that shaped him. As a youth wrestling and High school assistant coach, he passes on his knowledge and passion, helping young athletes grow both on and off the mat.
Will John Johnson, Athlete
Will John Johnson graduated from SBHS in 2007. He lettered on the varsity basketball team 3 of his high school years and led the Scoopers to their first state tournament since 1988. A major highlight of his high school career was winning the ‘Spirit of Su’ Award at the state tournament in 2007. Johnson was also named to the 2007 State All- Tournament Team, First Team All-GDC, and First Team All-State his senior year.
After high school, Will John attended Black Hills State University where he lettered 4 years on the men’s basketball team. He helped lead his team to three Dakota Athletic Conference titles and a Final Four appearance at the 2009 NAIA National Tournament. He earned honors of First Team All DAC, DAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Second Team NAIA All American. Will John holds the record at BHSU for total career rebounds, and he’s the only player in school history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Will John lives in Whitewood, South Dakota, on the family ranch where he grew up. He and his wife, Kylee Johnson, are chiropractors and own Whitewood Creek Chiropractic. They have 4 children, Weslyn, Jordy, Wriggs, and Winnie.
Jacob Simmons, Athlete
Jacob participated in multiple sports while he attended SBHS: track & field, basketball and cross-country. During his high school career, Jacob was a 5x state champion in track & field (2x 800, 2×1600 and 1x distance medley relay). For his efforts at the state meet, he was voted as the competition’s MVP in back-to-back years.
In addition to track and field, Jacob was a 5x state medalist in cross country and was a three year starter on the basketball team. Jacob still holds the SBHS records in the 800 and 1600 meter races.
After graduating from SBHS in 2015, Jacob competed collegiately at the University of South Dakota where his time in the 1500 ranks 6th in school history among other top 10 records in other relay events.
Jacob graduated from USD in 2019 and obtained his law degree from Rutgers University. He is extremely grateful for all of the people who helped him succeed all throughout his life, including his parents, sister, teachers and friends with a special shout out to Scott Peterson.
