The University of Mary Marauders

A highly recruited athlete from New Salem, ND, Scott Kleinjan made an immediate impact on the then-Mary College men’s basketball team as soon as he arrived on campus in the fall of 1980 and finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer. A starter in 125 straight games between 1980 and 1984, the Marauders posted a record of 103-34, the best four-year stretch in school history. Kleinjan owns three of the top nine single-season scoring totals in school history (3rd, 7th and 9th) and two of the top nine assist season totals (4th and 9th). After the Marauders went 23-11 his freshman season, the team posted a mark of 30-3 in 1981-82, a school record. Undefeated at home in 16 games, the Marauders advanced to the NAIA Division I National Tournament for the first time as he scored a team-high 609 points and distributed 173 assists. The Marauders would win 25 games in each of the next two seasons. Kleinjan completed his career with 2,268 career points and is second all-time in assists with 478. Three times he earned both NAIA Division I All-District 12 and team most valuable player honors. As a senior in 1984 he received Bismarck Quarterback Club College Athlete of the Year recognition.