Sioux Center, IA — Dordt College Athletic Director Glenn Bouma has announced Nate Wolf will be joining the Dordt College coaching staff as men’s and women’s cross country head coach. He will also assist Dr. Craig Heynen with the Defender track and field programs.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Coach Wolf’s caliber join our coaching staff,” said Bouma. “His ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes and coach and prepare them for competitive running and life after college became very evident through our search and interview process. Nate’s faith is integral to his work as a coach, and I am confident the cross country programs are in good hands. His experience as a track and field head coach will serve him well as he assists Coach Heynen.”
Wolf comes to Dordt College after spending the last three years at Southwest Minnesota State University as head coach for both cross country and track and field.
Prior to his work at Southwest Minnesota State, Wolf coached the Northwestern (Iowa) cross country teams for one season and assisted in its programs for seven years. He was the head women’s and men’s track coach at Northwestern for eight seasons from 2005-2012. During his tenure at Northwestern, 75 student-athletes earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition, and five of his teams were accorded NAIA Scholar-Team accolades.
Wolf competed at Northwestern in both cross country and track from 1999-2003 and qualified for NAIA Track Nationals in both the mile and 3,000 meters. He graduated from Northwestern in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in biology health professions and earned his master’s degree in 2005 from the University of South Dakota in athletic administration.
“I was drawn to the consistency of message and mission of the Dordt College Human Health and Performance department, the Faculty Senate, and the administrative team. Touring campus, it was easy to feel the excitement and see the growth that is taking place here. When I recruit students, I talk with them about the importance of finding the right fit. I believe that in Dordt College I have found the right fit for my family and me,” said Wolf.
The Dordt College women’s cross country team won its third straight GPAC title in 2014 and qualified for the NAIA National Championships where the team finished fifth. The Defender men finished third in the GPAC Championships this season and had a pair of runners qualify for the 2014 NAIA National Championships.
“It is a privilege to step into the incredible program that Greg Van Dyke has built,” said Wolf. “I look forward to starting immediately and working to continue the God-centered holistic development of the student athletes in the program. I believe the athletes and I can build on their strong success, and I am committed to making their running experience here an incredible part of their overall college experience.”
