Hugh Welsh, athletic director (AD) for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, will step down from the AD position effective June 21, 2009 in order for the campus to hire a full-time AD.
Welsh joined the School of Mines in 1986 after a very successful eight-year coaching stint at Devils Lake Region Community College in North Dakota, where his teams won 194 games in eight seasons.
The son of two Ph.D. recipients, Welsh appreciated strenuous academics, and wanted to coach at a university with high standards - not an easy task when recruiting athletes who can succeed academically in the School of Mines' rigorous programs while balancing athletic demands. Welsh enjoyed, and appreciated, that challenge.
"We have true student athletes here. Every one of them is bound by the same requirements as their peers. I've always thought that this is one of the neatest things about the School of Mines - students are all doing the same thing," Welsh said. "There's nothing easy about what they are doing. You just don't make it here if you are not focused on academics."
Welsh served as head coach of the Hardrocker men's basketball program for 19 seasons (1986-2005). During his tenure as head coach, he compiled a 268-273 won-loss record, took the 1997 team to a NAIA National tournament and has two conference championship titles to his credit.
Welsh is the second longest-tenured coach in the men's basketball program (behind Bob Hunt, who coached the Hardrockers for 21 years). He has more wins than any men's coach in school history, and was named the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year on two occasions and also Athletic Director of the Year on two others. His career coaching record is 545 wins and 380 losses.
During his career at the School of Mines, the athletics program has grown with the reinstallation of the men's and women's golf programs in 2001. He has also presided over a dramatic overhaul in athletic facilities, with the 2006 installation of high-quality, state-of-the-art artificial turf at O'Harra Stadium's Dunham Field. Other improvements include the addition of a multi-media scoreboard; renovated King Center varsity locker rooms for the men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball teams; and a 4,200-square-foot Dunham Field locker room for the football team. Welsh also oversaw the construction of a new gym floor in Goodell Gymnasium.
These improvements benefit not only the School of Mines, but the more than 50,000 fans from the Rapid City community and beyond who attend football and basketball games, track and field events, soccer and volleyball matches, and other events at the O'Harra Stadium and the King Center each year.
"Hugh Welsh has been a driving force in Hardrocker athletics for more than two decades," School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., said. "His service as athletic director, coach, professor of physical education and mentor to countless athletes and coaches has left its mark on the School of Mines, and will always be appreciated."
The athletic program has always been considered a major extracurricular activity on the School of Mines campus. Collegiate athletic programs are an important part of student life and foster well-rounded development for students, encouraging teambuilding, personal growth and effective time-management and decision-making skills.
A national search will commence shortly with the goal of having a new, full-time athletic director joining the School of Mines before the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year. A recent gift to the Hardrock Club will allow the School of Mines to accomplish this goal.
The search committee involves faculty, administration, student athletes and athletic department personnel. The committee is chaired by Dr. Carter Kerk, industrial engineering professor and faculty athletic representative.
"I have really enjoyed my years at the School of Mines," Welsh said. "Over the years, I've transitioned from basketball coach to athletic director, and now it's time for another transition. I look forward to watching the continued success of the Hardrockers from a different perspective."
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