University of Mary Athletics

Dan Hughes
Outstanding Athlete
Wrestling 1993-1998
 
       Hailing from Clearwater, FL, Dan Hughes made the sun shine for fans in two sports when he brought his talents north to U-Mary in 1993. His freshman year in addition to wrestling, he started at center on the Marauders football team. But from 1994 to 1996, he focused solely on wrestling under Coach Milo Trusty, earning significant honors. Then after completing his four years of wrestling eligibility, Dan lived out his promise as a great dual-sport athlete by returning to the gridiron in 1997 as a Marauders starting defensive lineman.

During his outstanding wrestling career, Dan qualified for the NAIA National Wrestling Championship all four years. As a senior, he won the NAIA National Championship. Dan was a three-time All-American and an NDCAC-4 All-Conference selection. His team won the NDCAC conference title the four consecutive years Dan competed. In 1995-1996 and 1996-1997, they were runner-up to the NAIA National Champions.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in social behavioral science education and a minor in history, Dan was a member of the U.S. Secret Service from 1999 to 2004, and served as a secret agent in New York City. He received a Medal of Valor for his actions on September 11, 2001, and also was recognized with a Life Saving Award for providing medical attention to a gunshot victim. Returning to Bismarck in 2004, Dan served with the Bismarck Police Department until 2007. A dog handler and patrolman, he represented Bismarck and North Dakota in the World Police and Fire Games in Indianapolis and the 2005 World Games in Quebec, Canada, winning gold medals in both. In 2007, Dan established his own international business, “Dogs for Defense, Inc.,” which has served clients including the U.S. Department of Defense and earned him recognition as a finalist in the Innovate North Dakota Entrepreneur competition.
      
Dan resides in Wilton, ND, with his wife, Kristen Hayes, ’00, and two children, Elizabeth, three, and Daniel, one. His parents are Mike and Dorothy Hughes of Port Orchard, WA.