Dan Berdan: Cobber Since The Crib
Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson.
Moorhead--Dan Berdan was less than 1 year old when his college allegiance first surfaced. That's when he was photographed with his older brother, Keven, with both wearing gray Concordia sweaters.
"I always would wear that," Berdan said with a smile. "I was destined to become a Cobber."
Two decades later, the photo proved prophetic. Berdan, a senior, starts at safety and is the team captain for Concordia's football team.
"Dan always did say that he wanted to be a Cobber from the time that he was little," said Lisa Berdan, Dan's mom and a graduate of Concordia. "It's funny to see how life unfolds like that."
When the Cobbers (1-0) host Buena Vista (Iowa) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Berdan will be making his second career start. Berdan had seven tackles and a forced fumble last Saturday in a win at the University of Jamestown.
"Every year he's getting better and he understands the game better," Cobbers head coach Terry Horan said.
Berdan has been patient in finding his way into the starting lineup. He played sparingly for the Cobbers in his first two seasons. A foot injury during his sophomore season slowed his development.
As a junior, Berdan was a special teams regular, but saw limited snaps on defense, playing behind Bryce Hentges, a senior who was a three-year starter and one of the top players on the team.
"I knew that was kind of how it was going to be," said Berdan, who is from Ortonville, Minn. "Bryce was the best athlete on defense. I knew I was going to be playing under him."
Having to wait to crack the lineup did not discourage Berdan. He saw it as an opportunity to learn. At no point in his first three years in the program did he ever think of walking away from football.
"I was going to stay with it no matter what," said Berdan, who blocked four kicks last season. "I love the game and I love the football family."
Horan said he's never once "seen a bad attitude" from Berdan. That's why the veteran head coach wasn't surprised when Berdan was voted one of the team captains last spring.
"I know his personality. I know how hard he works," Horan said. "He's a smart kid. He's athletic."
At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Berdan provides a rangy presence in the secondary that has four new starters from last season.
A three-sport athlete in high school, Berdan likens playing free safety to being the center fielder on a baseball team.
"I think I have subtle speed," Berdan said. "I am a big guy, but I think I can move pretty fast."
Berdan and his mom aren't the only Cobbers in the family. Keven recently graduated from Concordia.
Dan's younger sister, Katelyn, is a freshman at the school.
"I have always been a Cobber through and through," Dan said.