Nick Kortan

Kortan, originally of Tabor and now living in Sioux Falls, S.D., ranks as one of the program’s all-time great running backs. Kortan is now the chief financial officer and V.P. of Corporate Operations at SDN Communications.

While at USF, Kortan, who was named NAIA Player of the Year in 2002, rushed 762 times for 4,331 yards and 63 total TDs as USF was 36-11 during his time as a Cougar. He led USF to the title game in 2001 in a 12-2 season and was on the 12-1 2002 team that reached the NAIA semifinals. His TDs, carries and yardage totals all rank third all-time at USF. As a senior, he rushed for 1,606 yards and 21 TDs. Kortan also had 16 receptions for 205 yards and TD in 2002. Named an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete. Kortan, a two-time All-GPAC first-team selection, was named first-team NAIA All-American in 2002 and honorable mention All-American in 2001. He was named the GPAC Player of the Year in 2002 and selected two-time all-conference selection in 2001 and 2002.

Kortan, a 2003 graduate of USF in professional accountancy and business administration, obtained his Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license after graduation and he worked in public accounting at Eide Bailly for nine years before taking his current role. He is on the board of directors for the Special Olympics of South Dakota and Junior Achievement. Kortan married 2006 USF grad Chelsey Nelson, a PA at Sanford Health. They have two boys.