The men’s and women’s golf coach at South Dakota State the past 11 seasons, Jared Baszler announced Saturday his decision to step down to pursue other opportunities in private business.
“It’s been an incredible 11 years here at SDSU with the Jackrabbit golf programs, and I want to thank everyone in this athletics department for the rewarding experience for me and my family,” Baszler said. “While my future business endeavors take me away from coaching, I’ll be a Jackrabbit the rest of my life, and I look forward to being a better father, husband, family member and friend going forward. I also plan on being involved with the program on a volunteer basis. Our program, this athletic department and the entire university are primed to achieve big things in the next 10-20 years and I am excited to see that transpire. I wish our current and future players the best of luck in all their future endeavors, I’ll be your biggest and most passionate fan.”
In his 11 years, Baszler coached the Jackrabbit men to nine team tournament titles and seven student-athletes to individual tournament titles. The SDSU women won a pair of team titles and one individual tournament title under Baszler. Additionally, he coached the men to a trio of third-place finishes, and the women to two second- and one third-place finish at The Summit League Championships.
“I’d like to thank Jared for all of the work he’s done, not only for the golf teams, but for South Dakota State as a whole, he leaves the program in better shape than when he started, and we’re grateful for that,” SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. “I know how demanding it can be balancing family life and athletics, and I respect his decision. We all wish him the best of luck in whatever the future may bring him and his family, and we look forward to seeing him cheer on the Jackrabbits as a fan.”
“I had two main goals when I began coaching here; one was to give the Jackrabbit golf program an identity and the other was to leave this program in better shape than I got it,” Baszler added. “I step away with a strong sense of comfort that I accomplished both.”
Bazler’s resignation is immediate, and Sell said a national search to find his replacement would also begin immediately.
