News NORTHERN “IT’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF SUCH A GREAT UNIVERSITY,” OLSON SAID. “It has been an absolute pleasure for me to work with Bob Olson in his role as athletic director at NSU,” said NSU President Jim Smith. “Bob is studentcentered and student-focused. He cares deeply about the student experience and is dedicated to making every athlete as successful as possible. Bob has assembled an outstanding set of coaches, and those coaches, in turn, have stressed athletics and academics simultaneously.” Olson has served the Wolves in the role of athletic director for the past 13 years, taking over the position in 1999 for the retired Jim Kretchman. Prior to that, he coached the NSUmen’s basketball team for 14 seasons, taking the Wolves to national prominence on both the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels. Olson amassed a career record of 305-129 and coached his players to 27 all-conference, five NAIA All-America, one NCAA II First Team Allnorthern today 9 OLSON’S RETIREMENT marks the end of a 37-year career at NSU that saw him fill the roles of student, athlete, professor, coach and administrator. “It’s been a privilege to be a part of such a great university,” Olson said. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to work with many fine folks at Northern State over the years. I feel our athletic department is as strong as it has ever been and the timing is right to turn the reins over to someone new.” Olson to retire following conclusion of 2011-12 year NORTHERN STATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BOB OLSON WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF THE 2011-12 ACADEMIC YEAR IN MAY. America and eight Academic All-America honors. Under his direction, the Wolves made five NAIA national tournament appearances, including championship national runnerup runs in 1994 and 1995. The program’s success at the NAIA level translated seamlessly to the NCAA Division II stage, as the Wolves earned national tournament berths in each of their first four seasons under the NCAA umbrella. Those postseason runs were highlighted by a North Central Region championship and Elite Eight berth in the 1997-98 season. An Aberdeen native, Olson attended Northern State from 1973-1977 and played collegiate basketball under the legendary coach Bob Wachs. Olson was recognized as the recipient of the Kretchman Coaching Award by the NSU Foundation at the 2011 Gypsy Day celebration. “I wish Bob well in retirement,” Smith said. “I know we’ll continue to have his support and his commitment to Wolves athletics. Personally, I will miss his insights and his supportive spirit. He has been a tremendous part of NSU as both a coach and athletic director. He will be missed!” A national search for a replacement will begin immediately. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to work with many fine folks at Northern State over the years.”
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