Head Coach of the 2012 undefeated Sioux Falls Storm and United Bowl Champions, Kurtiss Riggs, will be inducted into the collegiate NAIA Hall-of-Fame at the Football Coaches Association National meetings in Nashville, Tenn. on January 7,2013.

Riggs, the University of Sioux Falls' starting quarterback in 1995 and 1996 amassed a record of 25-1 in two seasons as the Cougars’ starting quarterback. During that time he set and still holds several several NAIA records, including the most touchdown passes in a season (55), most consecutive attempts without an interception (290) and lowest interception percentage (75%). His career and season marks also remain the standard at USF. Riggs holds school records in single-season passing yards (3,993), completions (265), touchdown passes (55) and single-game records in passing yards (457), completions (30) and touchdowns (8).

Riggs' honor of being inducted into the NAIA Hall-of-Fame if the highest honor bestowed by the NAIA. Individuals inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame must be persons of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine leadership and must be held in high esteem by colleagues, coaches and athletes.

“It’s hard to celebrate this as an individual award because I never would have accomplished this without my teammates,” Riggs said. “I hope it opens the door for my teammates like David Ruter and Kalen DeBoer to receive hall of fame consideration.”

Riggs, who recently signed a two-year extension as Head Coach of the Storm, was a two-time All-SDIC 1st team quarterback and Don Hansen’s National Gazette NAIA All-American who also received the 1995 SDIC Player of the Year and 1996 NAIA 1st Team All-American honors.

He saved his best for the last game of his collegiate career—the 1996 NAIA Championship game. Riggs passed for 455 yards and five touchdowns to lead USF to its first national championship, a 47-25 victory against Western Washington.

Riggs talked yesterday about the adversity he faced early in his career as a quarterback and who he thanks in helping him overcome it. “It was a struggle for me at first because USF ran the option and I was very close to transferring after my freshman year,” Riggs said. “Coach Young talked me into staying, changed the offense and got me to believe that the team could accomplish what we ultimately did.”

Since becoming the Head Coach of the Sioux Falls Storm in 2003 Riggs has compiled a record of 140-28 and has won six national titles (2005-2008, 2011 and 2012. Riggs has won back to back IFL United Bowls.

“Kurtiss truly deserves this honor, and I hope it inspires our current student-athletes to perform at such a high level,” added USF Athletic Director Kevin Hesser

Riggs will join 17 other inductees in this year's USF Hall of Fame, with details for the induction ceremony to be released by the NAIA at a later date.