July 17, 2007

(Madison, SD) - Dakota State Athletics announces the hiring of the new Trojan Baseball head coach, Dean Berry.

Prior coming to Dakota State University, Berry was the head coach for Presentation College softball team during the 2007 season.  He led the team to its first ever UMAC conference tournament with a runner-up finish and set a school record for most wins in a season (more wins than previous three years combined).  As a result, Berry was named the UMAC conference coach of the year.

"I am very excited about this new opportunity to take over the Dakota State baseball program," said new Trojan Baseball Coach Dean Berry.  "Dakota State has been one of the top teams in the DAC Conference as well as Region 3 and I'm looking forward to continuing that success."

"Dakota State University is committed to providing student-athletes with a top notch educational experience," stated Berry, "and with the success of the baseball program, it makes this opportunity very exciting."

Berry has over thirteen years of coaching experience in college and high school levels from all over.  He was the assistant baseball coach at Mayville State University from 2002-2006 under current head coach Scott Berry.  He was also the recruiting coordinator and academic supervisor.  During summer 2004, Dean was the co-head coach for USA Athletes International, competing in Prague, Czech Republic and finished fourth.  Dean Berry was the head baseball coach for former DAC member Huron University from 2000-2002 and led the team to the National Playoffs in 2002.  Dean coached high school baseball teams for a total of eight years in Washburn (ND) and West Fargo (ND) and American Legion baseball teams in LaMoure (ND), West Fargo (ND), Devils Lake (ND), and Jamestown (ND).  In 1995, he was named to North Dakota Legion Baseball "Coach of the Year."  In addition, he also coached at the college levels at NCAA Division I Dartmouth College in New Hampshire as an assistant baseball coach as well at NCAA Division III Concordia College (MN).

Dean graduated from Mayville State University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and minor in coaching.  While at Mayville State, he lettered in baseball and football for four years.  In baseball, he played on four Conference Championship teams, four District 12 Championship teams, and two time Region 3 runner-ups teams.  He was named to NDCAC All-Conference team in 1993.  In football, Dean played on one NDCAC Conference Championship team and voted as team captain.  In 2006, he received his master's degree in Higher Education Administration at University of North Dakota.

"I want to thank Gene Wockenfuss for believing in me and giving me this tremendous opportunity," stated Berry.  "I am looking forward to meeting the team and getting started with the 2007-2008 school year and season.  I am very excited about the future of Dakota State Baseball."

DSU Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss said, "For the past five years under Coach Pat Dolan, DSU Baseball has been elevated to a nationally recognized program, but I believe there are still higher levels to attain.  Coach Dean Berry will help us reach our ultimate goal of competing at a championship level and will provide strong academic leadership for the student-athletes who participate."

In addition to his head baseball coach duties, Dean will also serve as Events Manager at Dakota State University.

Dean and his family will move into Madison area with his wife Julie and their three year old daughter Abby.