ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus cross country and track & field programs will see a shift in coaching responsibilities, Athletics Director Tom Brown announced today. Brenden Huber, who has been the lead assistant for the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field teams the past eight years, has been promoted to head men’s and women’s cross country coach. Dale Bahr, head coach for both the cross country and track & field programs the past eight years, will now focus his attention solely on the men’s and women’s track & field teams. Huber will remain as the lead assistant for the track & field program.
“This is a great opportunity for both Brenden and Dale as they continue to work hard on improving our cross country and track and field teams,” Brown said. “We would like to thank Dale for his contributions to the cross country programs. This will allow Dale to focus his time and energy on the track and field programs. As for Brenden, he has grown significantly as a coach, as a recruiter, and as a leader during my five years as athletic director. I feel he is definitely ready for his new role in leading our cross country teams.”
Huber becomes the eighth head coach in the history of the combined Gustavus men’s and women’s cross country teams, which have operated as a dual-gender program since 1980. During Huber’s tenure with the program, the cross country teams have garnered 21 All-Conference honors, had three student-athletes receive CoSIDA Academic All-America honors (John Kennedy in 2009-10, Brooke Beskau in 2011-12, and Beth Hauer in 2012-13), and claimed one MIAC championship (2012 women). The last two seasons the men have finished sixth at the NCAA Central Region Meet, which are the best results at the regional since 1992. Last season the Gustie men entered the national poll for the first time since 1990, ranking No. 23 in the Week Two NCAA Division III Coaches’ Poll.
“Gustavus has been my family for the past ten years and I’m excited to continue to work with the talented student-athletes and a dedicated athletic staff,” Huber said. “I’m grateful for Dale’s leadership since I started at Gustavus. He has been a great mentor and I look forward to continue working with him.”
Huber earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Dakota in 2005 where he was a cross country and distance runner for the Coyotes. While at USD, Huber was a member of the 2004 cross country squad that finished 11th at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships. He also served as the president of the USD Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was a USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree in 2005. Brenden lives in St. Peter.