July 26, 2006

(Madison, SD) - Ken Prorok has been named the head softball coach at Dakota State University.  Prorok, a native of Lincoln, NE, has been with the university's athletic department for the past five years, serving as the Associate Head Baseball coach from 2001-2005 and most recently serving in the dual role of Associate Head Softball coach and Assistant Volleyball coach during the 2005-2006 season.

Prorok replaces Brad Hesser as the Trojans head coach; Hesser has taken a full-time position as a professor in the Dakota State's Liberal Arts College and will focus in the development of the multimedia department.  Hesser will stay on board and serve as an assistant coach for the Trojans.

"I am excited about accepting the head softball coaching position here at Dakota State University," said Prorok.  "I am excited about the direction the program and the university are headed, and I am proud to be part of it.  Last season, we began to get the program headed in the right direction and I look forward to taking it to new heights."

Last season, the Trojans finished 20-26 and ranked regionally for the first time since 2002.  The Trojans finished ranked 17th in the nation in terms of team batting average last season, hitting .334 as a team.

"Ken has been a real team player since he came to DSU," quoted Dakota State University's Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss.  "I have a lot of confidence in his ability to carry the softball program to a new level.  I appreciate and respect Brad Hesser's decision to step aside from the head coaching position to focus on his teaching.  The neat thing about Ken and Brad is that they have a very complimentary working relationship, and the exchange of roles I feel will keep the stability that this program has long needed.  I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season."

The Trojans will have their first official practice under Prorok on August 31st.