09/13/2026
Congratulations Nick Kelly!!!
🏆 2026 DUBUQUE MINERS MAN OF THE YEAR — #69 NICK KELLY 🏆
Friday night we closed out our 2026 Awards Banquet by presenting the highest individual honor in our organization.
The Dubuque Miners Man of the Year Award is about far more than what happens between the lines.
It recognizes the man who best represents what we want a Dubuque Miner to be. Someone who carries himself to the Gold Standard, leads by example, holds himself and those around him accountable to the highest level, and represents this organization with extreme pride.
(GOLD) GRIT • OWNERSHIP • LEADERSHIP • DETERMINATION
For 2026, that man is Captain #69 Nick Kelly.
Nick has been a steady presence within this organization since day one and someone his teammates can depend on. Whether it is doing his job on the field, stepping up as a captain, or setting the example for the men around him, Nick represents what wearing DUBUQUE across your chest is supposed to mean.
And when we talk about Nick’s impact on this organization, it is impossible not to mention his family.
His wife, Krystal, is one of our game day photographers, helping capture the moments that tell the story of this team. Their daughter, Dixie, better known around here as “Weapon X”, can be found on the sidelines at games and practices, right there with the team.
Any benefit, community event, team activity, practice, game day, or anything else this organization is involved in, you can almost guarantee Nick and his family will be there.
That matters.
Because being a Miner has never just been about showing up on Saturdays. It is about buying into the organization, supporting the community, supporting your teammates, and giving your time to something bigger than yourself. Nick and his family have done that from day one.
His work this season also earned him 1st Team All-MWUF honors on the offensive line, but this award goes beyond accolades and statistics. It is about character. Commitment. Leadership. Family. And the way you represent the Dubuque Miners when nobody is keeping score.
Nick Kelly is exactly what we want this award to represent for years to come.
Congratulations to the inaugural Dubuque Miners Man of the Year, #69 Nick Kelly.
You earned this one Cap!⛏️
2026 DUBUQUE MINERS MAN OF THE YEAR
#69 NICK KELLY
Built by the Community. Held to the Gold Standard. Dubuque Always.
