Dick Wherry // Football
Bio Information: Richard Wherry is a 1969 NSU graduate. A football player at NSU, he still holds the record for most yards receiving, and was named a two-year All-Conference and NAIA All-District player. Wherry was a 3-year starter for the Wolves. As a junior, he led the NAIA with 13 receiving touchdowns and tallied 1,050 yards on 51 catches. He also notched the third best yardage in the NAIA that same season. He received an All-American Honorable Mention two times, and went on to become a 13th round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings and was later named to the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame. He was a teacher and coach for Milbank High School. Named girls' cross country Coach of the Year in 1984, Wherry also coached the 1986 girls' cross country team of the year.
Professional Information: Drafted in the 13th round of the 1968 NFL draft, as the 333rd pick to the Minnesota Vikings. He got "the call" while working at the Aberdeen Coca-Cola plant from the team's general manager, Jim Finks. The Northern State wide receiver spent two weeks at the Vikings training camp the next fall. He practiced alongside hall of famers like Carl Eller and Alan Page.
Wherry in the News:
From Northern football to Aberdeen Coca-Cola plant to Bud Grant's office (Aberdeen American News)
