Power, Pride, and Championships: The Multi-Sport Legacy of Brandon Ralph

When you talk about all-time greats in University of Mary men’s track & field, one name comes up over and over: Brandon Ralph.

A two-time All-American, multiple-time conference champion, and key contributor to four conference team titles, Ralph established himself as one of the most successful throwers in program history. Add in his role as a linebacker on championship football teams, a long coaching career, and now local business leadership, and you get the full picture of a true Marauder original.

From Minot to NDSCS to UMary: Immediate Impact

A native of Minot, North Dakota, Ralph joined the Marauders for the 2000–01 season after transferring from the North Dakota State College of Science. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark.

In his first year on campus:

• Helped UMary win the 2001 Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC-10) men’s indoor track & field championship
• Captured the outdoor DAC-10 title in the shot put, the first of his three career conference championships in the event

From the start, Brandon brought power, consistency, and competitive fire to the throws ring.

Climbing the Podium: Titles and All-American Honors

Ralph’s junior and senior seasons took his performance—and the program—to new heights.

In 2002:

• Finished 2nd in the shot put and 5th in the weight throw as the Marauders claimed another indoor conference title
• Placed runner-up in the DAC-10 outdoor meet
• Earned his first All-American honor by finishing 8th in the shot put at the NAIA outdoor championships

In 2003, his senior year, winning became the norm:

• Won both indoor and outdoor DAC-10 shot put titles
• Set a conference record with his outdoor shot put performance
• Led the Marauders to both indoor and outdoor conference team championships

That 2003 outdoor team title is especially significant:

• It was the first—and remains the only—outdoor conference championship in the history of the UMary men’s track & field program.

Individually, Ralph’s highlight came on the national stage:

• As team captain, he finished 3rd at the NAIA indoor championships, earning a second All-American plaque

Linebacker for a Champion: Success on the Gridiron

Ralph wasn’t just a star in track & field. He also found success on the football field in a program that was used to winning.

As a linebacker for the Marauders:

• He played for the 2001 and 2002 DAC-10 championship teams
• Helped UMary reach the NAIA playoffs three times
• Was named All-Conference Second Team
• Earned Marauders Defensive Player of the Game honors four times

Balancing two sports at a championship level is rare; excelling in both is rarer still.

From Athlete to Architect: 13 Years of Coaching

After graduating in 2004 with a teaching degree in physical education, Ralph returned to the throws ring in a different role—coach.

For 13 seasons, he led the Marauders throws group, and his impact was substantial:

• His athletes earned three All-American honors
• Collected multiple conference titles
• At one point, held 8 of the 10 school records in the throwing events

In short, he helped ensure that the standard he set as an athlete became the expectation for everyone who came after him.

Life Today: Family, Business, and Community

The son of Richard and Yvonne Ralph, Brandon has stayed rooted in the region and continues to invest in the community in big ways.

Today, he is:

• Owner of Bruno’s Pizza in Bismarck, a local favorite that’s become a staple gathering place
• Owner of ND Country Fest in New Salem, one of North Dakota’s premier music and entertainment events

At home, Brandon and his wife Nicole Ralph are raising three kids:

• Blake (10)
• London (8)
• Von (6)

Just as he did in athletics and coaching, Ralph continues to build—this time in business and community life—anchored by faith, family, and the same work ethic that made him an All-American.

A True Marauder Original

For current student-athletes and alumni, Brandon Ralph’s story captures the full arc of what it means to be a Marauder:

• Two-sport athlete at a championship level
• Two-time All-American and multi-time conference champion
• Team captain who helped his squad win the men’s program’s only outdoor track & field title
• Coach and mentor who raised the bar for the throws program
• Entrepreneur and community leader still carrying the Marauder spirit into everyday life

From the shot put ring and linebacker meetings to pizza ovens and festival stages, Brandon’s influence is a reminder that the values built at the University of Mary don’t stay on campus—they shape a lifetime.