![]() We had some outstanding linemen, Cliff Carmody, Steve and Bruce Meyer and Scotty Arndt. They took over line and did an amazing job. Eldy Dahl was a great offensive line coach, along with Con Aubert and Dan Ratzloff. We threw ball poorly because I don’t think kids want to pass. “We mainly wanted to play good defense and run the football,” said the coach whose teams claimed eight consecutive Battle Axe victories. “We were shaky that first year, going 4-5, but with good cooperation from the parents, the community and the administration we laid the groundwork to go on and win some ball games.” With a simple groundwork set, the Arrows under Fortier kept the game plan simple too. “We had a lot of good assistant coaches, good players with good size holy cow we had some good ball players,” said Fortier whose older brother Ross Fortier served as a longtime head football coach at Moorhead State. We performed at a high level very disciplined, and coming from a family of coaches was in his DNA.” And that DNA was soon grafted onto his outstanding staff and his group of young players eager to form a winning tradition. I remember his teams as having very few penalties. “He was a perfectionist in all things, and as players we’d do things again and again and again. “I think the big thing is he demanded respect, and he surely had it,” Schroyer said. It was good, I think.” Coming from a man who was perhaps his own harshest critic, a mutual regard for players, parents and the community was quickly developed. I lived on the corner, 3rd Street I think, and they could stop in and we’d have a man-to-man. That way everyone knew where I was coming from and I also told them if they had any problems to come speak with me personally no phone calls. ![]() We’d play a lot of kids, but we were going to play the best kids and teach the fundamentals. I told them, this was the way it was going to be. “We’d have a potluck with the parents and the players I’d say a few words to everyone and we’d dismiss the players so I could speak with the parents. “We had a when we started and it began during two-a-days,” Fortier said. “Surely he knew the family connections and the legacy there.” It took time for him to get his Arrows up to speed, finishing with a 4-5 record in his first campaign, but Fortier was quick to lay the groundwork for the highly successful seasons to follow. “Knowing Bob, he did his homework,” said Richard (Chuck) Schroyer, one of Fortier’s players who will also enter the Pipestone-Jasper Athletic Hall of Fame this fall as an athlete/coach. And newly appointed Pipestone High School Athletic Director Bob Nangle was quick to seek out the talented young coach whose first high school coaching stint was in nearby Tracy. ![]() The next year, though, we were 1-9.” His experiences as both a high school and college football player figured heavily into how Fortier approached his coaching duties after graduating from UK in 1970. “We had a plan couple of seasons where we didn’t do very well, but one year we finished 9-1 and went to the Orange Bowl. As a Jayhawk, Fortier again experienced a stellar season along with a not-so fruitful campaign. “We wanted to play big time’ football and received scholarships to play at the University of Kansas,” he said. “I learned what it took to do that, the dedication, the hard work and not looking ahead to the ball club even though it might not be a tough one on that particular Friday night.” Graduating from Bemidji High School in 1965, he and his twin brother Bob Fortier also nominated for the Bemidji Hall of Fame had their sights sets on continuing their football careers. “We were 26-0-1 during those three seasons, so knew what it was like to play on an undefeated team,” said Fortier, who started on both sides of the football after starting as a linebacker his freshman year. His father Bun, the first inductee in Bemidji’s Hall of Fame, led the Lumberjacks to several state basketball tournaments, and Fortier experienced three undefeated seasons in Bemidji on the gridiron. Nominated for induction to the Bemidji High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his prowess as a football, basketball and track & field athlete, Fortier learned how to succeed in competition early. While the Arrows’ success didn’t occur overnight, it was evident from the beginning of Fortier’s tenure that victories were bound to follow the young coach whose pedigree epitomized winning. Posting a record of 66 wins to a mere 19 losses over nine seasons under Fortier, the Arrows were the team to beat in the late 1970s and early 80s. Looking at Dick Fortier’s record as head football coach of the Pipestone Arrows, it’s quite easy to see why he will be inducted into the Pipestone-Jasper Athletic Hall of Fame, Sept.
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