Brendon Foss inducted as member of 2025 Hall of Fame Class at UMM

As a part of Homecoming week for the University of Minnesota Morris Cougars, six individuals were inducted into the UMM Hall of Fame Oct. 4 in Morris. Local Brendon Foss was one of the six members of the class of 2025 as a two-sport standout in football and basketball

Foss was one of the more accomplished athletes to compete for the Owls in both basketball and football. Growing up in Hancock had a huge impact on Foss and being so close to his hometown in college, many of his family and friends were able to continue to attend his games. “Hancock is a community that supports athletes as they go on to play in college or just move on in life. Everyone knows everyone. It was fun to represent the little town that built me down the road and see some loyal fans at the games,” Foss said.

After graduating from Hancock in 2010, Foss went on to continue his athletic career in college not too far from home as a Cougar in Morris. Thanks to then offensive coordinator and current Athletic Director Matt Johnson recruited Foss to UMM and as a member of the HOF committee, he was able to deliver the news to his former player. “It was an honor to receive the news from him as a coach and mentor, someone I look up to,” Foss said.

While it was a successful recruitment process, Johnson was the referee to call Foss for his fifth foul to four out of his final basketball game his senior season. “I can joke with him about that today, it wasn’t as cool at the time. Things come full circle,” Foss said.

Johnson played a huge role in getting Foss to UMM, his brother Derrick was already playing quarterback for the Cougars and was a large reason for Foss continuing his athletic career as a Cougar.

Foss played both football and basketball and was a three-year starter for each team, getting himself into the UMM record books on multiple occasions.

In football, Foss had the fifth most receiving yards in a single season with 890 yards and third with 11 receiving touchdowns in a season. For his career, Foss had the second most career receptions with 190, had the second most career receiving yards with 2,714 yards and holds the record for most receiving touchdowns with 32.

He also racked up the accolades on the gridiron. FInished his career with a First Team All-UMAC, a Second Team All-UMAC and COSIDA First Team All-American.

On the basketball court, Foss had just as impressive of a career for the Cougars, itching his name in the record books. For a single season, Foss had the fifth and ninth highest rebounding seasons with 203 and 138 and was fourth and sixth in single season blocks with 34 and 28. For his career, Foss was fourth in steals with 138 and third in blocks with 97. He also ranks ninth in career field goals made with 374 and eighth in free throws attempted with 343. Over his basketball career, Foss was named First Team All-UMAC, Second Team All-UMAC, Honorable Mention All-UMAC and UMAC All-Defensive Team honors.

At the induction brunch, Foss was able to have his entire immediate family in attendance with his wife and three children. He was introduced by his brother Derrick and gave a short acceptance speech. “I owed it to him as he also was responsible for a lot of the success I had, he threw me the ball and I joke that’s what I asked him to do,” Foss said.

After the brunch event, Foss’s wife Brooke surprised him with a tailgating party with friends, family and former teammates before the homecoming football game. He was a part of the Cougar football coin toss and watched as the Cougars pulled off a win late in the game.

The accolade honors Foss’s athletic career as a Cougar and will forever put his name next to all the other UMM legends to contribute to Cougar athletics.