DICKINSON, N.D. — It has been four years since Mike Fisher played a down for Ronan, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been playing football.

DICKINSON, N.D. — It has been four years since Mike Fisher played a down for Ronan, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been playing football.

Indeed, Fisher has spent the past four years in shoulder pads for Dickinson State in North Dakota.

Fisher enrolled at the NAIA Division I school in 2009 after what was a solid career with the Chiefs from 2005-2009.

Back then he played quarterback and outside linebacker and, though he was never able to lead his team to a winning record, he was a star.

Fisher emerged onto the scene as sophomore, when he passed for 362 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 189 yards and another score in 2006.

However, his true breakout would come a year later as a junior, when he picked up Honorable Mention recognition in the conference.

He passed for 805 yards and four touchdowns that season, while also rushing for 290 yards and nine touchdowns. Fisher picked off three passes on defense as well.

Fisher’s senior campaign in 2008 netted him even more accolades, as he earned All-State and first team All-Conference honors as an outside linebacker.

He also picked up first team All-Conference status as a punt returner and second team All-Conference honors as a quarterback.

Fisher racked up 684 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions as a passer, but was just as dangerous with his legs, rushing for 616 yards and four scores.

The former Chiefs playmaker signed on with Dickinson State later that year, but his future role was still up in the air.

It was uncertain at first what position Fisher would play. Quarterback, running back and defensive back were all viable options.

In the end, however, it would be defensive back.

Fisher joined the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2010 and saw a great amount of success that year.

The Blue Hawks finished the year 9-2 overall and 7-1 in conference (then the Dakota Athletic Conference), while Fisher posted 41 tackles and picked off one pass that he would take 70 yards the other way before being tackled.

Dickinson State became part of the Independents the following season and fell to 4-6.

Fisher’s play didn’t drop off though, as he accounted for 43 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups as a junior.

The Blue Hawks were on the move yet again this season, joining the Frontier Conference this time.

It was a rough initiation for Dickinson State, as the team would finish 2-9 on the year.

Fisher’s play again did not reflect his team’s drop off, however, as the senior put up 52 tackles, picked off another pass and had three pass breakups as well.

Though he never found the spotlight he had while he was with Ronan as the star player, Fisher put together a very solid and consistent collegiate resume while with the Blue Hawks.

It is a shame that a player of his caliber never really got to enjoy a wealth of wins over the years, but the Ronan native sure does have plenty to be proud of.