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Standout Crimson Bears athlete Noah Ault signs to college football
- Klas Stolpe
- 23 hours ago
- 6 min read
2026 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate attending Valley City State University
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
From a youth football player repeatedly running the wrong way in his JYFL Cubs jersey to an all-state Crimson Bears high school award winner, Noah Ault is on pace for a career on the football field.
“Oh yeah, I ran back and forth so many times and found a way to score every time,” Ault said with a laugh. “But I thought it was pretty funny. I was always running.”
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears 2026 senior signed on Tuesday to attend Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota, and continue to run and to play NAIA football for the Vikings.
“It was kind of interesting,” Ault said of how the school reached out. “I got a text after the Super Bowl commercial we were in, and it was from one of the VCSU coaches. It was pretty cool and we kind of got to know each other, we hopped on a Zoom call and talked and told a bunch of stories. We did a virtual tour and it was pretty cool, the campus was nice. I felt like it was a good place for me, and I know some of the other people going there so it is pretty awesome.”
Ault and his 2026 JDHS classmates graduated Sunday, and he is ready for the next step.
“I am going to study elementary education,” Ault said. “I am just so used to being around kids and I think it would be a good asset for me as I go on into the future of my life. Some of my teachers influenced me growing up. Ms. Wells was a cool teacher…Mr. Brown was a really nice middle school teacher that helped me a lot while I was in middle school, so that was another reason why I chose that field of study…A lot of coaches have helped me and shaped who I am as well.”
Now Ault will help other coaches, teammates and classmates.
“Noah’s versatility immediately stood out to us,” VCSU head coach Dennis McCulloch said. “He played on both sides of the ball in high school, which speaks to his athleticism, toughness and football IQ. Throughout the recruiting process, our interactions with Noah and his family were outstanding. He is a high-character young man who carries himself the right way, and we are excited to welcome him to our program.”
Ault is bringing his five-foot eight-inch, 170-pound defensive back frame to the Vikings.
“We project Noah as a defensive back in our program,” McCulloch said. “He played free safety in high school, and that experience should help make for a smooth transition to our defensive system. We believe he has the athletic ability and instincts to develop into a very good player for us. For any high school player — whether you are going to the University of Alabama or Valley City State — it comes down to being willing to start over and prove yourself again."
"Every player in college was a standout in high school, so the challenge is raising your game to a new level. Mentally, it takes humility, discipline and a willingness to learn. Physically, players must understand that football is a year-round commitment. The work they put in during the off-season, especially in areas like strength, conditioning, nutrition and recovery, has a direct impact on how prepared they are when fall camp begins.”
Ault is joining the program just as it makes a significant move from the North Star Athletic Association to the Frontier Conference, made up primarily of NAIA schools in Montana. The Frontier Conference is the top league in the NAIA and will be bolstered by VCSU and conference foes Dakota State University, Mayville State University and Bellevue University all joining.
“Like every freshman, Noah’s biggest challenge will be learning the playbook and understanding our defensive system,” McCulloch said. “That means not only knowing his own assignment, but also understanding what the players around him are doing. Becoming a complete football player requires seeing the bigger picture and trusting the scheme.”
The Vikings have fielded a football team since 1909. The team plays at Lokken Stadium in Valley City.
“Valley City State Football has a rich history and a strong winning tradition,” McCulloch said. “Since 1974, our program has had only three head coaches, which reflects the stability and culture we have built over many decades. We have won numerous conference championships and made multiple national playoff appearances. Our expectation is that players are committed to excellence both on and off the field. We want young men who are willing to work hard, compete every day and represent the university with character and integrity. Fans can expect a team that plays with great effort, discipline and toughness every time we take the field.”
Ault is one of 24 new signees to the Vikings program, six of whom are from Alaska.
Joining Ault from the 49th state are North Pole High School’s Michael Putnam (WR, 6'1, 170 pounds) and Robert Service High School’s PJ Levao (LB, 5'11", 220 pounds), Cassidy Philip (DB, 5'11", 170 pounds), Tootooalil Malaesilia (DL, 6'2", 310 pounds) and Jenri Mota (DB, 5'10" 165 pounds).
“Valley City State has had a rich history of recruiting players from Alaska,” McCulloch said. “Alaska has been an outstanding pipeline for our football program for many years. Since 1994, we have had a player from Alaska start for us every season. The young men we recruit from Alaska are consistently tough, hardworking and team-oriented, and they have played a major role in our program’s success. We are excited for Noah to continue that tradition.”
Noah Chambers, a 2022 graduate of the former Thunder Mountain High School who played basketball for the Falcons and football for the then-combined Juneau Huskies football program is graduating from VCSU this spring. He played three seasons for the Vikings.
“I am very happy for Noah and his future success,” Chambers said. “The biggest adjustment is the distance from family, mixed with an entirely flat landscape. You don’t feel the comfort of the trees and mountains around you in North Dakota. You may also feel overwhelmed by the amount of new faces you see at once. Just remember, everyone is in the same boat you are. Also, football will consume all your free time so make sure to get ahead on your homework.”
At VCSU, Chambers earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology. Now married with a small child, he is returning home to work as an Alaska State Trooper.
“I was happy with my playing time,” Chambers said. “In three years, I played in 18 games and made plenty of good memories. It obviously took work on the physical side, but what allowed me to be successful as a freshman was the mental knowledge. You need to know the playbook before you can ever hope to play.”
Before Ault heads to North Dakota on Aug. 5, he and the JDHS Crimson Bears boys soccer team have unfinished business at the Alaska School Activities Association Soccer State Championships, hosted by Matanuska-Susitna Valley high schools Colony, Palmer and Wasilla, Thursday through Saturday.
“I will miss being around the people I love,” Ault said. “My family and my football family. I am going to miss it because I love all the boys that helped me all the way through.”
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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