Jim Kleinsasser covered every base as an athlete from North Dakota. Most kids grow up dreaming of doing what he was able to do:
On top of that, he set state records in the Shot Put and Discuss. He was also a national AAU champion in those events as well.
Don’t get me wrong, if you’re a Packers fan who went to NDSU and had a run-in with the 1995 Carrington Cardinals on their way to the state championship, you probably can’t stand Jim Kleinsasser. But for the average North Dakota kid dreaming big, he was the full package — he made it.
Let’s take a look at what he was able to accomplish as this week’s NDSA Spotlight athlete.
1995 State Class “B” Boys Basketball Tournament
Anyone that grew up in a “Class B” community in North Dakota dreams of playing in the “B” when they’re in high school. Jim Kleinsasser and the ’95 Carrington Cardinals played in it and won it. The Cardinals defeated Oakes, May-Port CG, and Grenora en route to the championship. My guy running the “Blast To The Past ND” account on X did a great recap of the tournament.
There will be a future deep dive on the 1995-1997 MPCG boys basketball teams. Ask anyone from Maryville, I think the only teams they would concede that group to are the ’92 Dream Team, Ty Crane’s St. Francis team from Coach Carter, and obviously the 1995 Carrington Cardinals.
High School Career
Kleinsasser’s career is the kind that local barflies love to claim for themselves—stories that start with “I barely played JV” and end with “I was just like him” after a few beers. The NDHSAA did a great job laying it out: he wasn’t just good, he was dominant. Most athletes would be thrilled to achieve that level in one sport. Kleinsasser owned three.
Prior to entering UND’s campus for the first time as a student-athlete, here is a quick recap of Jim’s accomplishments as a North Dakota high school athlete.
Football: Letter winner, 2-time All-Region Selection, 2-time All-State selection, 1994-95 ND Gatorade Player of the Year award winner for football.
Basketball: Letter winner, 1995 All District-8, All-Region-4, and All-State second-team. 1995 Class B State Tournament All-Tournament Team and Tournament MVP. 1995 State Champion. 1,108 Career points.
Track & Field: Letter winner. 1995 State Champion in shot put and discus. His shot put mark of 62’2” set a new Class B state record—a record that still stands today. His discus throw of 183’11” was also a state record at the time, later surpassed in 2024 by Riley Sunram.
2-Sport Athlete at UND
That’s right, the 1995 state tournament was not the final time Jim laced it up on the basketball court. After the 1995 football season, he got back on the hardcourt and played one season of college basketball for the Sioux. He decided to focus solely on football after one season.
Oddly enough, there are no stats or records of that specific 1995-96 team anywhere that I could find. Of all things to not exist, but I will trust the folks that wrote up his bio at UND that they didn’t make it up.
“Flying Saucer” Nickname
If you watch the clip above, despite how grainy the video is, you can see first hand how dominant he was at the Division-2 level. I have a feeling if Jim Kleinsasser grows up in a different era, he is getting recruiting heavily by Big 10 schools. I don’t know that the nickname “flying saucer” ever stuck with him, but can’t blame the announcer for trying his best Chris Herman impression. WHAP!
Kleinsasser finished his college career as a 4-year starter with the following accomplishments:
2-time All-American at tight end (97-98)
3-time First-Team All-North Central Conference
32-10 four year record
2 playoff appearances
Starter on the 1995 NCC championship team
1999 Senior Bowl starter
1995-96 UND MBB player
Only Division II player selected as a Gannett News Service All-American Football Team.
The other thing Kleinsasser experienced during his time at UND, the great flood of 1997. Another topic, for another time.
NFL Draft
Kleinsasser was drafted by the Vikings with the 44th overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. The second round selection is the highest in UND history. At this time, players from UND and NDSU did not often make it to the NFL. Now that both teams have moved up to the FCS level, we see a lot more players getting drafted, signed as UDFAs, and getting training camp invitations. In 1999, it was a big deal if a “North Dakota boy” was playing professional sports.
Jim spent all 13 years with the Vikes and was probably the most unsung player of his era. Mostly known for pancake blocks, setting the edge, and helping his teammates look good. He didn’t win every individual award or set records like he did in high school. Definitely wasn’t the featured guy in the offense like at UMD. He was a versatile player used as a tight end and fullback during his career in purple. Vikings fan loved him by the end of his career.
Jim had a rocky start to his football career and had not forgot about it. Fumbling early in his rookie season got him booed and tested his mental toughness.
He recently spoke about it at the 2025 UND graduation.
His speech was awesome and for anyone looking for it, look no further.
The biggest takeaway from his speech:
Show Up Every Day
That’s what Kleinsasser did as an athlete at all levels. You don’t achieve what he did by coasting on natural ability. He started 130 out of 181 career games for the Vikings, helped Adrian Peterson achieve 4-straight 1200 yard seasons as his fullback, and is loved by Vikings fans. He’s also got a fan in Kyle Brandt, formerly of ‘Good Morning Football’ by referring to him simply as being a “Dude”.
The Kleinsasser name is not finished at UND either. Jim’s son, Carter Kleinsasser is a freshman on the current UND Fight Hawks football team. He may have tiktoker hair, but that’s a Kleinsasser if you’ve ever seen one.
Jim Kleinsasser left his mark everywhere he went, and seemingly left every place better than he found it. In typical North Dakota fashion, he was surprised at his induction into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2008, and said “Am I old enough?” despite having a well-deserving resume. But, at just over 30 years old, he may have had a point. The idea that he was surprised to get in at all, shows he was a team guy first.
Let’s not forget, he was mentioned in the movie 50 First Dates to fool Drew Barrymore. Okay, that’s all for now.
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