Arizona Cardinals General Manager and University of Minnesota Morris alumnus Monti Ossenfort has accepted the invitation to serve as the commencement speaker for the University of Minnesota Morris on Saturday, May 10.
Ossenfort was named the Cardinals’ GM in 2023, arriving with 21 years of experience in the NFL. That includes three seasons in Tennessee and 15 years with the New England Patriots.
Originally from Luverne, Ossenfort graduated with distinction from UMN Morris in 2000 with a degree in economics and management. He went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration and sports management from Ohio University.
About the Speaker
A native of Luverne, Ossenfort was quarterback for the UMN Morris Cougars from 1996-99. In his college career, Ossenfort was an Honorable Mention All-NSIC selection in his senior season of 1999. That year, he finished third in program history for single-season completions (191) and pass attempts (377). For his career with the Cougars, he ranks first all-time in passing attempts with 923, fourth with 411 completions, and fifth in total passing yards with 4,263.
Ossenfort began his time in professional football as a training camp intern with the Minnesota Vikings and also later interned with the Houston Texans. His first full-time role came in 2003 with the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots. During his time in New England, Ossenfort helped the Patriots win four Super Bowl titles and advance to seven Super Bowls overall. He then went back to work for the Texans beginning in 2004 before returning to the Patriots in 2006, winning three more Super Bowls with the Pats during a tenure that lasted more than 10 years.
After departing from New England following the 2019 season, Ossenfort spent three seasons as the director of player personnel for the Tennessee Titans. The Titans would win the AFC South in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
About Commencement
Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m. on the campus mall. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Cougar Sports Center. The public is invited to attend the ceremony or to watch it streamed online.