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Athletic Director Named
DSU Athletic Committee Makes Recommendations

Madison-Dakota State University President Dr. Doug Knowlton has appointed Gene Wockenfuss as permanent DSU Athletic Director. Wockenfuss had been serving as the interim director since June. The university went through a nation-wide search and interviewed several candidates before offering the position to Wockenfuss.

Wockenfuss is a 1983 Dakota State graduate. He came to DSU as the head football coach in 2002, after serving eight years at Doane College of Nebraska. At Doane he was assistant head football coach, offensive coordinator and assistant athletic director.

Prior to coaching at Doane, Wockenfuss coached on the high school level for nine years. He also served as assistant football coach for South Dakota State University from 1990-92 while completing his Master’s Degree in Physical Education.

Along with the AD announcement, Knowlton also unveiled recommendations of the Athletic Strategic Planning Committee. The committee was appointed by President Knowlton in September 2004 and charged with reviewing the current status of intercollegiate athletics at the university. Their review resulted in the recommendations that were made public today.

The recommendations included conference affiliation, facilities and financials, fundraising, and partnerships. The committee agreed DSU should remain NAIA Division II while exploring an alternative Conference alignment. Currently DSU is a member of the DAC 10 which includes schools in North and South Dakota.

Facilities under scrutiny were the Fieldhouse and Trojan Field. The committee recommended continued renovation of the Fieldhouse and a complete renovation of Trojan Field. Replacement of scoreboards was also among the recommendations.

The committee also looked at the DSU’s current Title IX plan and proposed it be revised by delaying plans to implement women’s soccer in favor of adding more depth and staff for women’s cross country and track, including hiring a full time head women’s cross country/track coach.

Fundraising was addressed by a committee recommendation that an Athletic Foundation be established, along with an organized Booster Club. The committee advocated DSU establish positive partnerships by strengthening the relationship with Madison High School and the Madison Booster Club so that shared facilities can best be managed.