The Bemidji State University Department of Athletics is under new leadership. April 25, President Dr. Richard A. Hanson announced Tracy Dill
as the University’s director of intercollegiate athletics
and a new face has been roaming the campus and community this week.
After
27 years at St. Cloud State University, where he served as associate
athletic director since 1999, Dill stepped into his new role and new
surroundings June 3. Dill said that since the announcement he has felt
the embrace of Beaver Nation, making his transition easier.
“I’ve received numerous
phone calls, email messages and texts congratulating me, which has been very
much appreciated,” said Dill. “One of my last duties at St. Cloud State was to
direct the NSIC baseball tournament. It was great to see the Beavers make such
a solid run. It also provided me the opportunity to interact with Bemidji State
players, coaches, staff, family members and BSU supporters that came out.” He
added, “I can tell already, people are very excited to be a part of Beaver
athletics.”
During his first two
days in the office, Dill has been busy to say the least. Whether it is getting
his staff ID photo taken, meeting faculty/staff or figuring out which key
operates which door on campus, Dill is clearing one hurdle at a time.
“It’s exactly what I
thought I’d feel like after the first couple days,” smiled Dill. “I’m a little
bit overwhelmed. I know there is a lot to do, but I take it one day at a time.”
Dill added, “It’s an old adage, but in sports, I think it is true. I know that
everyday will be a learning experience.”
When asked how he is
approaching his first few days as the Bemidji State AD, it was obvious where
his top priority lies—building relationships.
“As I said when I was in
the process of being hired, developing relationships is critical of the success
of any organization and I still believe that.” Dill added, “I am actually tying
to get out and meet as many people as I can. I really enjoy that part of [the
job]. The first few days that is what I have been focusing on. I went to the
Rotary meeting yesterday and met quite a few people there. I want to continue
to do that, I just need to get my calendar organized to allow me to get out and
do the things I need to do to move the program forward.”
A graduate of William
Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Dill has more than three decades of experience
in collegiate athletics. He began his professional career in 1981 as an
admissions counselor and assistant football coach at his alma mater. During
that time he assisted in the coordination of student and student-athlete
recruiting in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. In 1985, Dill’s duties shifted as he
was he was hired to take over the Statesmen track and field teams and was named
intramural director in addition to coaching linebackers as assistant football
coach.
In 1988, Dill left
William Penn to take a position as assistant coach with the St. Cloud State
football program. He remained involved in the recruiting process and added
game-plan preparation and play selection to his duties coaching defensive
backs, quarterbacks and running backs.
Dill’s roots in track
and field led him to the role of head coach of the Husky men’s track and field
team beginning in 1988. He assumed control of all aspects of the track and
field program while retaining his role as assistant football coach during the
fall.
In 1995, Dill was
promoted to assistant athletic director and remained head coach of the men’s
and women’s track and field teams. His move into administration thrust him into
budget management, scheduling, game management, fund raising and promotions. He
served as the advisor to St. Cloud State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
and provided oversight to the Husky Booster Clubs. In addition, he was also
involved in the development of strategies for compliance with Title IX and the
implementation of department drug and alcohol policies.
In 1999, Dill left
coaching and moved full time into administration. In his role as associate
athletic director at St. Cloud State, he was responsible for sponsorships and
marketing efforts for the Huskies’ 23-program athletics department, as well as television
radio and web-streaming rights and ticket sales. He continued to oversee all
aspects of game management and was appointed to work with an external team to
enhance student participation and attendance at home athletics events. He also
took an active role in the development of the department’s strategic plan.
Dill’s position supervised assistant athletic directors and the Huskies’
strength and conditioning program.
During his coaching
tenure at St. Cloud State, Dill mentored 37 NCAA Division II track and field
All-Americans, which included two individual national champions. In football,
he helped develop 36 All-North Central Conference selections, and his running
backs helped the Huskies lead the conference in rushing four times.
In addition to an
English degree from William Penn, Dill holds a master’s degree in athletic
administration from St. Cloud State.
Dill and his wife,
Kristy, have two grown sons. Trey lives in Hermantown, Minn., with his wife
Holly and is the defensive line coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth,
and Tye is a resident of Minneapolis.
“My wife and I are
extremely excited about Bemidji State and the opportunity for me to be its next
athletic director,” Dill said. “We are excited to get to know the community,
the campus and the Bemidji area.”
“I think there are good
things happening at BSU, and a there is great opportunity to build upon what is
already in place to continue to move the programs forward.”
Dill takes over for Dr.
Rick Goeb, who was named the University’s first full-time director of athletics
in 2001.
