SPEARFISH - Black Hills State University graduate, Mike Berg, Class of '72, was named the NFL High School Coach of the Year.

Berg, who is a coach and physical education and social studies teacher at Grand Forks Central High School in North Dakota, was nominated by a former Central player and current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brooks Bollinger. "It kind of puts a topper on a career," Berg said.

"Obviously it's very gratifying, but it's very humbling because I'm just some high school teacher and coach in North Dakota who was fortunate with good athletes and good coaches over the years."

The award will allow Berg and his wife Lorna to be guests of the NFL at the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in Glendale Ariz. Berg will also receive $5,000 cash and a $10,000 grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund, which will be awarded to the Central football program.

Berg was inducted into the Yellow Jacket Hall of Fame in 2007 during the BHSU Swarm Day celebration because of his outstanding coaching career.