A 1979 graduate of Red River High School, Kelly Eickenbrock was a multi-sport athlete whose toughness and competitive fire made him a well-rounded student-athlete. He earned varsity letters in basketball (3), football (2), and track & field (2), leaving a lasting mark in all three programs. In football, Kelly was a force on both sides of the ball. He was named All EDC First Team and All-City in 1978–79, served as team captain and MVP, and earned a spot on the prestigious North Dakota Shrine Bowl team. On the basketball court, he was equally impactful, named team captain, team MVP, and the 1978–79 KNOX Basketball Player of the Year. In track & field, he was a regular point scorer on the 1979 NE Regional Championship team. His leadership and playmaking ability earned him the honor of being named Red River’s Athlete of the Year both as a sophomore and a senior.  After high school, Kelly continued his football career at UND, where he was a part of the 1979 Hall of Fame team. In 1981, he moved on to Bismarck Junior College and earned All-Conference honor. He went on to serve with distinction in the United States Army, where he continued to excel athletically. Among his accomplishments, he was named V Corps Discus Champion in 1990 and 1991, U.S. Army Europe Discus Champion in 1991, Fort Huachuca Post Football Champion in 1984 with the 501st Signal Company, and 32nd Signal Battalion Golf Champion in 1999.