RONAN — Ronan senior Mike Fisher finished one of the great trials in a senior athlete’s life and chose his starting path after graduation on Tuesday, Feb. 17, when he signed a letter of intent to play football at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, N.D.

“The last couple of weeks have been hectic trying to make the right decision and find out where I’m going to go,” Fisher said, who had also been looking at the University of Montana – Western in Dillon as well as Montana State University and the University of Puget Sound as possible options. “To finally have it done and know where I’m going to go next year was really exciting.”

Offered a partial scholarship, Fisher decided to play in the NAIA. Originally recruited as a safety, Fisher said over the course of meetings with the Dickinson recruiting coaches, they have recently talked more about using him as a quarterback.

“It’s tough to decide but I think I’d like to play quarterback,” Fisher said. “But I’d play anywhere – whatever helps the team.”

And Fisher can play anywhere.

He went second team all-conference at quarterback, first team all conference as a punt return specialist and as outside linebacker, and first team all-state at outside linebacker this past season.

Fisher was also selected as an alternate for the Montana East-West Shrine Game.

He rushed the ball 110 times for 616 yards and three touchdowns. In the air Fisher excelled as well, throwing 63-for-97 for 682 yards and eight touchdowns with only six interceptions.

On the defensive end, Fisher kept busy. In addition to 31 tackles and 27 assists, he also caused four fumbles and made an interception.

And he had no mercy for the guys in the other jerseys – even the one with his same position – Fisher sacked 3.5 times.

One of the perks that set Dickinson apart for Fisher was its baseball team. He’s never been a one-sport kind of guy after all.

Dickinson’s program was highly recommended to Fisher by others who had visited and Ronan head coach Jim Benn, who is familiar with the coaching staff there.

Benn’s assistance was fundamental to the development of Fisher as a quarterback and the recruiting process, Fisher said.

“At the beginning of the season, he (Benn) said, ‘I’m going to help you play college football,’” Fisher said.

And that’s the opportunity Fisher has before him now.

Besides Benn, Fisher said he extends his thanks to quarterback coach Lincoln Jore for helping him get to where he is.

There was more thanks to go around. High school ball had been good to Fisher.

“It’s been a great experience,” he said, “I can’t thank anybody enough – all my coaches and fans that came to watch us play and everyone I played with. I definitely want to thank all of them. It’s been fun.”

The moment that stuck out for Fisher? The 16-15 upset the Chiefs pulled off against Hamilton in Ronan.

“That was pretty crazy,” he said. “It was a really good feeling. The team played as well as they did all season. We showed what we could do.”

Excited to go off to college on scholarship and take on the responsibilities that come with it, Fisher said the move will be good for him. 

“You have to keep your grades up or you lose you scholarship,” Fisher explained, saying he might look at business administration as a possible field of study.

But he said he won’t forget Ronan.

“I’m going to miss it a lot,” he said. “I love the mountains and I love the people here and I’m going to miss playing with all these guys around here. It will be a new experience and it will be a lot different.”

Starting over, Fisher will have another program to earn a place in. And someday he might lead again.

As Benn said, when it came time to pick captains in Ronan this last season, the players almost unanimously voted for their quarterback.