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Hedberg resigns as Minot State AD

Minot State athletic director Rick Hedberg is stepping down.

On Tuesday, Hedberg announced his resignation, as he will later be named MSU’s new vice president for advancement. Hedberg is replacing long-time administrator Marv Semrau, who plans to retire later this year.

After 15 years leading MSU’s athletic department, Hedberg said he’s ready for a change. He’ll begin serving his new post June 1, and will continue to assist the athletic department during its search for a new AD.

“Athletics has been a big part of my life,” said Hedberg, a 1997 inductee into Minot State’s hall of fame. “I’m going to miss that piece, having the relationships with the student-athletes and coaches and so on. I’ll still be very involved with the entire campus.

“Athletics plays a big role in any campus. If you’re going to be out raising money, you obviously want to have that connection to athletics, too. I’ve been able to meet some great people through athletics. That’s probably the biggest benefit, is just the people you come across in athletics. They’re just really top notch, and I’ve enjoyed that.”

Minot State will undergo a national search for Hedberg’s replacement, though in-house candidates may also be considered, Hedberg said.

“I think it’s going to be an attractive job,” he said. “Obviously we have challenges just like anywhere else, but we’re sitting on pretty solid footing. You’ve seen what’s been happening across the country, with St. Cloud dropping some sports and UND dropped some sports this week. It’s tight everywhere. That’s not to say that that couldn’t happen here, but we’re on probably as solid of footing as anywhere in our region. I think it’s going to be an attractive position that’s going to yield some good applicants.”

Hedberg’s new position covers several responsibilities, one of which will external fundraising.

Given his connections and local ties, Hedberg said he’s ready for the challenge.

A 1988 MSU graduate and Parshall native, Hedberg was a three-time all-conference basketball player for the Beavers, and still ranks third on the school’s all-time scoring list.

He was named Dakota Athletic Conference athletic director of the year in 2002-03, when MSU’s men’s cross country team captured its only NAIA national championship.

Currently in their fifth year at the NCAA Division II level, the Beavers sent three teams to D-II national tournament appearances under Hedberg’s leadership – including two trips from MSU’s women’s soccer team – while boasting two Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference players of the year and one tournament MVP.

In recent years, Hedberg oversaw renovations to Herb Parker Stadium, as well as the installation of state-of-the-art video boards in both the MSU Dome and at Herb Parker Stadium.

“Rick has done a terrific job in serving as Minot State’s Athletic Director the past 15 years,” MSU president Steven Shirley said in a press release. “During that time, he has effectively led a large department and established many strong relationships with alumni, supporters, and friends of Minot State while also helping attract significant new resources for the university. Additionally, as a graduate of MSU, Rick is committed to MSU and has been invested in this university for much of his life.

“We look forward to Rick’s leadership in sustaining the momentum and building upon the wonderful work in MSU’s Advancement that has been led by Marv Semrau the past nine years. Marv will remain involved with Advancement and Foundation activities on a part-time role during the year ahead to assist with the transition and special projects.”

Minot State has already begun its national search for Hedberg’s replacement.

Joe Mellenbruch covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Mellenbruch_MDN.

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