NJCAA Insider - September 2017
REGION 13
Region 13’s reach spans six northern states – Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Overall 29 colleges make up its membership with 18 hailing from Minnesota. Region 13 is led by Buster Gilliss (men’s director) and Jean Musgjerd (women’s director) with the assistance of Danny Mertens (men’s assistant) and Mel Millerbernd (women’s assistant).
A closer look at Buster Gilliss – Region 13 Men’s Director
Buster Gilliss has served as athletic director and coach at Bismarck State (ND) for the past 27 years. A member of the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Gilliss stepped back on to the court this past season as head coach of the Mystics after an eight-year absence. Gilliss has guided the Mystics to the Division II Championship tournament in Danville, Illinois, three times and has earned Region 13 Coach of the Year honors 11 times during his career.
After serving as the men’s assistant for Region 13 for 10 years, Gilliss has been the Men’s Region Director since 2010.
Buster enjoys all sports and interacting with student-athletes on a daily basis. He takes pride in getting know every athlete in the athletic department at Bismarck State (ND) and knowing each by their name.
A closer look at Jean Musgjerd – Region 13 Women’s Director
Jean Musgjerd’s time with the NJCAA dates back to 1990 when she began teaching and coaching at Rochester (MN). In 1993 took over the reins of the Rochester (MN) softball program. During her time leading the Yellowjackets, her teams advanced to the DIII Softball Championship four times – finishing fourth and fifth in 2009 and 2010.
Since 2003 Musgjerd has been serving Region 13 Women’s Director and has served on both the eligibility and executive committees in addition to many sport committees.
Since 1997, Musgjerd has worked as a search and rescue volunteer, using her German Shepherds to assist in finding lost and missing persons in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Why do you recommend the NJCAA to student-athletes?
Buster: For the educational and athletic opportunities our organization provides to student-athletes, both present and future.
Jean: It’s a great place to get an education and continue playing.
What do you enjoy the most about being a Region Director?
Buster: One of the best parts of the job is the great camaraderie and interaction with the athletic directors and coaches across not only Region 13 but nationally as well.
Jean: The people I get to work with make it great.
What do you enjoy the most about the NJCAA?
Buster: Having a leadership role in the organization means a lot and being able to contribute to making the NJCAA even better is something I am proud of.
Jean: The annual meeting... seeing friends.
Tell us something special about your region.
Buster: Region 13 spans a large geographic area of the country. It stretches into five states. At the same time, it spans across every level of completion within the NJCAA as we have a good number of institutions competing at the DI, DII and DIII level.
Jean: Region 13 is diverse group of all three divisions.
What is your favorite sport and why?
Buster: Basketball is my passion as evidenced by my coaching career and service on NJCAA basketball committees and coaches association.
Jean: Baseball
