Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall Caden Fenger poses for a photo with his family after signing his National Letter of Intent Thursday to play football at Valley City State University.

MARSHALL — With a quick signing, the next step in Caden Fenger’s athletic career was complete. The elder Marshall signed his national letter of intent on Thursday to play football at Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota.

Fenger said it felt good to finally have that day come and be officially engaged.

“It feels good,” Fenger said. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, so it’s exciting.”

Fenger added that what attracted him to Valley City State was the overall atmosphere of the campus and the program.

“They have a great program for my major and the football program seems like a great group of guys and coaches who have been there for 30 years so it was a good fit,” Fenger said.

Over the past few years, Fenger has been a key contributor to Marshall’s success on the grill and hardwood. Last fall, Fenger was third on the team in total tackles at 33.5, including seven sacks and nine tackles for a loss and forced three fumbles. He attributed this success to the impact his coaches and teammates had on him.

He said his coaches helped him develop a hard work ethic and helped him become who he is today.

“My football coaches made me a better man and pushed me through a lot of adversity,” Fenger said. “And in basketball there are so many difficult situations that we end up in and that’s a lot of courage in both football and basketball. have really touched that way.

Fenger added that his teammates bring a good balance of fun and hard work to practices and games and they help him improve every day.

“Sometimes it’s a bunch of funny guys and sometimes it’s hard to stay focused with them, but when you get going it’s really fun to work with them.” Fenger said. “Some of them motivate me; Deylin [Hasert] goes to Iowa State and it just pushes me because I’m trying to go further against him and make me a better player.

Fenger said he plans to major in fisheries management and wildlife conservation and become a Department of Natural Resources officer. He will also play as an outside linebacker at Valley City State. As we approach next year, Fenger said he is looking forward to getting back on the court and playing the game he loves.

“I can’t wait to get out and be able to play football again” Fenger said. “I miss it already.”