Pick selected as next Director of Golf at Dakota Wesleyan

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Russell Pick as the next Director of Golf, Director of Athletics Jon Hart announced Wednesday. 

Pick, who served as team captain for the Dakota Wesleyan University men's golf team in 2018, has served as the program's top assistant for the previous three seasons. He has helped coach seven All-Conference performers during that time and a trio of top-5 conference finishes by the DWU women's golf team. Pick ended his Tiger career top-5 in program history in career scoring average and was named an All-GPAC golfer in 2018. 

"We are extremely excited to announce Russ as the next head coach at DWU," commented Hart. "Coach Pick has been an integral part of the program for nearly eight years as both a student-athlete and assistant coach. His background as a club professional, assistant coach, instructor, and elite player serves him well for leading this program moving forward."

Pick rejoined the Tiger golf program in the fall of 2018 after finishing his four-year career at Dakota Wesleyan and graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Sport's Management in May of 2018. During his time as an assistant coach, the Kimball, S.D., native has helped recruit and develop golfers while assisting at tournaments and with practice plans. Pick most recently graduated with a master's degree in Education Policy and Administration from Dakota Wesleyan in May of 2020. 

Outside of his coaching duties, Pick continues to compete competitively. Most recently advancing to the semifinals of the 2021 SDGA Match Play Championship. The former All-Conference golfer won the 2020 South Dakota Fall Open and has swept the Mitchell City Golf Tournament the past two years. 

Pick replaces fellow Dakota Wesleyan graduate and former DWU golfer Tom Hoek, who finished his fourth season at the helm in the spring of 2021. Under Hoek's guidance, a total of nine Tigers received All-GPAC accolades including a trio of players during the 2019-20 campaign. 

"I am incredibly thankful and honored for this opportunity. I want to thank Tom Hoek for his hard work and dedication over the past few years. I'm grateful for his leadership and commitment to the Tiger Golf program. I also want to thank Jon Hart for this opportunity and his trust in my abilities," stated Pick. "The DWU community has meant so much to me, and I'm excited to continue being a part of the Tiger family". 

Hoek is leaving the golf program to become the Director of Student Life at DWU. Hoek earned his B.S. in history in 2008 and is a 2021 graduate of the M.Ed. program. His long history at the university as a student, alumnus and coach are well suited to his new position overseeing all aspects of student life.

"Additionally, I would like to thank Coach Hoek for all he has done for DWU golf over the past four seasons," iterated Hart on the departure of Hoek. "He leaves a strong foundation for Coach Pick to take to the next level. The future of DWU golf remains very bright." 

Entering the 2021-22 season, both squads look to return a bulk of their rosters, with the Dakota Wesleyan women's roster set to retain eight golfers from a season ago. Meanwhile, the DWU men's golf roster will feature seven returners from the 2020-21 season.