Jun 03, 2008 - 04:07:33 CDT
The University of Mary athletic programs will be under the leadership of Roger Thomas for the upcoming school year.Thomas confirmed on Monday night that he will become the school's new athletic director. Thomas would not comment further until today's press conference on the campus of U-Mary.
Thomas, 60, will succeed Al Bortke, the only athletic director in school history. Bortke, 71, announced his plans to retire in February. Bortke will stay on as an associate at U-Mary for a year.
Thomas has been the commissioner of the North Central Conference since January 2005. The NCC will cease operations in all sports at the end of the month.
Thomas was the director of athletics at the University of North Dakota from July, 1999, through February 2005.
Prior to becoming athletic director, Thomas served as UND's head football coach for 13 seasons. He left with more wins than any other UND football coach and a record of 90-49-2.
During his coaching career, Thomas led UND to five NCAA postseason appearances. He was named the NCC coach of the year three times.
Thomas was born in Chicago on Aug. 19, 1947. He played running back and quarterback at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. He earned bachelor degrees in physical education and history. He earned his master's degree from the University of South Dakota.
His coaching career began at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he served as a part-time assistant for the defensive secondary, as well as being head scout.
In 1976, Thomas was named the head football coach at the University of Sioux Falls. He left to join the UND staff for the first time as an assistant in April 1978.
After the 1979 season, Thomas left UND and held assistant coaching positions at California State-Fullerton, University of Minnesota and with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He returned to UNDto become the 23rd Sioux head football coach in 1986.
Bortke became U-Mary's men's basketball coach and first athletic director in 1973. In 1989 he was named full-time athletic director.
Bortke helped U-Mary make a successful and smooth transition from the NAIA level to NCAA Division II. U-Mary was named a full-fledged member of the NCAA last September.
U-Mary made one of the quickest transitions in NCAA history under Bortke. The NCAA waived U-Mary's final two required years of provisional status, making the Marauders eligible to qualify for postseason play and individual honors this past season.
G Mo wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:16 AM:
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