NDAPSSA Hall of Fame

Scooter Pursley
Bismarck sportswriter

Inducted to the Hall of Fame: February 2024

Born: August 17, 1962 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
High School: Graduated from Killdeer (N.D.) High School, 1980.
College: Attended Dickinson State University.

Pursley joined the Dickinson Press sports staff in 1981, becoming sports editor in 1986. He moved to the Minot Daily News (1989-90) and Bismarck Tribune (1990-2001), becoming Tribune sports editor in 1997. Pursley joined the North Dakota Tourism office in 2001, but continued writing for newspapers across the state, as well as for The Associated Press. He was a two-time state sportswriter of the year (1992 and 1999). He also published North Dakota Pigskin Preview, an annual state football preview book, from 2008 to 2022. He retired from sports writing in 2023. In his 40s, Pursley became an avid motorcyclist. The Harley Davidson is his bike of choice.