Shawn Kakuk ’88 ’91 has earned the 2015-16 St. Cloud State University Alumni Association’s University Leadership Award for making a positive difference in the lives of St. Cloud State students.
After one year of teaching high school social studies and coaching football in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Kakuk returned to St. Cloud State to pursue his Master of Science degree in sport sociology and served as a graduate assistant coach with the football team, and then served as an assistant coach from 1989-99, where he served as wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He was also responsible for the production of weekly offensive and year end team highlight videos.
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In 1993, Kakuk joined Multicultural Student Services at St. Cloud State as the coordinator of the Athletes for Success in the Classroom program which is an academic support and development program initially designed for student-athletes, but is now used with all students from our diverse campus population who utilize the Richard R. Green House. The program has grown exponentially and has helped aid in the academic success, persistence and graduation rates of our student-athletes and student of color populations.
Kakuk earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies, with an emphasis in political science, while also minoring in political science and athletic coaching. During his undergraduate experience, he played intercollegiate football for three years. After an injury sidelined him for his senior season, Kakuk stayed on as an undergraduate assistant and served two years as the assistant to the wide receivers coach.
In 2002, Kakuk began work along with his film partner, Russ Bolinger, in making the full length documentary film Bright Circle, a film about  Indigenous First Nations people and sports. The film was both an educational and inspirational film.  It was completed with help from numerous St. Cloud State alumni and staff, as well as involvement of many others, including former Green Bay Packer and Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Brett Favre and Grace Thorpe, the daughter of the legendary Jim Thorpe.
Kakuk will be honored during Fall Celebrate Sept. 15-17.
