--- title: "Barefoot and Automatic: The Hall of Fame Legacy of Kicker Jason Arenz" description: Hall of Famer Jason Arenz's legacy at the University of Mary blends record-breaking kicks, community leadership, and a lifelong commitment to excellence. --- # [Barefoot and Automatic: The Hall of Fame Legacy of Kicker Jason Arenz](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/barefoot-and-automatic-the-hall-of-fame-legacy-of-kicker-jason-arenz) Written by [Marauder Football Alumni Association](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/author/marauder-football-alumni-association) | Feb 8, 2026, 5:49:04 PM Before Marauder Football had conference titles and national playoff runs, it had a handful of foundational players who helped build the standard. **Jason Arenz** was one of them. A **two-time All-American** and **four-time all-conference** kicker, Arenz became just the **second football player ever elected to the Marauders Athletic Hall of Fame**. His story blends small-town roots, quirky details (yes, he kicked barefoot), and a lifelong commitment to his community on both sides of the Missouri River. ## From Mandan to Mary: A Program on the Rise A **1989 graduate of Mandan High School**, Jason joined the University of Mary that same year, suiting up for the Marauders during just their **second season of varsity football**. Even as a true freshman in **1989**, he was impossible to ignore: - Earned **All-North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC)** honors right away - Returned in 1990 to add **all-region recognition** - In **1991**, helped lead Mary to its **first winning season** and claimed **All-American honors** for the first time In those early years, when the program was still establishing its identity, Arenz gave the Marauders something every young team needs: **reliability in critical moments**. ## Record-Breaking Senior Season Jason’s senior year in **1992** remains one of the most remarkable kicking seasons in UMary history. That fall, as the Marauders chased their first conference championship, Arenz delivered: - Hit **four field goals in a single game** not once, but **twice**—against **Rocky Mountain** and **Minot State**. That mark still stands as a **school record**. - Knocked through **12 field goals in the 1992 season**, another **record that still stands** today. - Earned **First Team All-American honors** as the Marauders captured their **first conference title**. Those kicks didn’t happen by accident. Behind the scenes, **Coach Bella Belogh** was instrumental in Arenz’s development—famously convincing him to kick **barefoot**. The image of a barefoot kicker lining up for clutch field goals has become part of Marauder lore. It also perfectly fits Arenz’s story: tough, a little unconventional, and highly effective. ## The Day He Parked in Sister Thomas Welder’s Spot Every great Marauder story has at least one moment of humility, and Jason’s is a classic. As a freshman, he made the mistake of parking in **Sister Thomas Welder’s** parking spot—once. > “Boy did she track me down and embarrass me. Let’s just say it was the last time that ever happened!!” It’s a small story, but it captures the spirit of those early days: a tight-knit campus, visible leadership, and lessons that went far beyond football. ## Life After Football: Leading on a New Field Jason graduated from the University of Mary in **1993** with a **degree in business administration**. Just as he did on the field, he moved into leadership roles off of it. Today: - He serves as **president of BNC National Bank in Mandan**. - He and his wife **Tricia** (married 15+ years) are raising three sons—**Evan, Blake, and Seth**—and Jason stays **hands-on as a coach** in their baseball, basketball, soccer, and football teams. - He remains deeply involved in the community: - **President** of the **Mandan Park Board Commissioners** for a decade - **Board member** for the **Missouri Valley Family YMCA** - **President** of the **Mandan Boys Basketball Club** He still finds time for **fishing, bow hunting, vacations, and family time**, but the through-line is clear: the same focus and consistency that made him a Hall of Fame kicker now shape his work, family, and community life. ## A Lasting Example for Marauder Football For today’s players and alumni, Jason Arenz represents a powerful model of what it means to be a Marauder: - **Excellence on the field** – multiple All-American honors, four-time all-conference, and records that still stand. - **Commitment to team and school** – helping lead Mary from a young program into a conference champion. - **Service beyond football** – business leader, volunteer, coach, and dedicated husband and father. From barefoot kicks and record-breaking seasons to boardrooms and ball fields in Mandan, Jason’s legacy is a reminder that what starts on the turf at the University of Mary can echo through a lifetime. 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