June 11, 2021
Ross Kigner, like many in the MPA class of 2008, lived and breathed sports. As a Panther, Kigner played football and basketball. And, like many other MPA students, he also represented the school in a variety of ways beyond athletics, as an award winning debater.
On the gridiron, Kigner was the utility player who did it all, excelling especially on defense and special teams. He memorably went a perfect three for three on kicks in an overtime upset of Blake School as a senior, and won the coaches’ Love of the Game Award three times in his high school career.
In debate, Kigner and his partner Sam Bolstad were the first MPA team to reach the state quarterfinals at the novice, junior varsity and varsity levels in their careers. They placed as high as third in the state debate tournament.
Kigner played collegiately at the University of Minnesota-Morris. He first contributed to the Cougar football program on the field as a junior, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles.
As a senior, he began to shine. Kigner started five games for the Cougars that season, finishing eighth in the UMAC in scoring and ninth in the UMAC in PAT kicking percentage. On defense, he recorded a career high 12 total tackles in a game against Greenville, and finished with 30 tackles on the season, plus an interception. For his efforts, Kigner received the 2011 Verne Chandler Commitment and Dedication Award.
“MPA prepared me for college by teaching me the balance between being a student and being an athlete. It instilled in me the work ethic that allowed me to successfully pursue my dreams of playing college football,” recalls Kigner.
Kigner graduated with a degree in sports management along with a minor in communications studies. He is the CEO of New Directions Inc. a group home company that serves adults with mental and physical disabilities. He is also the defensive backs coach at Roseville High School and an assistant track & field coach for the Raiders.
Kigner relishes his opportunity to give back through coaching. “I’ve learned a lot from the game of football that I’ve been able to use off the field. I’m blessed that after college I am still able to have this game be a part of my life,” he says. “I love the smell of the turf in the morning when it’s just you and your team. Grinding out hours of preparation that no one else notices or sees except during the 60 minutes when the lights are on and the pads are hitting. Each game is so special because unlike other sports we only get eight games guaranteed each year, 12 or 13 games if all those unseen hours are put to good use!”
