UWP's DeWitt Resigns as Rangers' Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
UWP Sports Information
SOMERS, Wis. - The past 29 years have seen Mike DeWitt as the head coach of the UW-Parkside women’s cross country program, as well as being the head coach of the women’s track team since 1982, and, in 2007, he took over the combined programs of men’s and women’s track and cross country.
DeWitt will take his coaching know-how to Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida. He will be the school’s first head cross country and track coach. DeWitt’s last official day at UW-Parkside will be Wednesday, June 30. Ave Maria is the first new Catholic university to be built in the United States in more than 40 years. In 2003, the school opened the doors of its interim campus in Naples, Florida, for its first academic year.
“The pride I have in the contributions I have made to UW-Parkside over the past 29 years is something I will forever cherish,” said DeWitt. “The opportunity to work with nearly 400 athletes of which more than 25 percent have earned All-American honors at the NAIA or NCAA II National Championship is an especially big contributor to that pride.”
DeWitt was recognized by the NAIA on November 18, 2000, when he was inducted into its Hall of Fame as a cross country coach.
“My time at UW-Parkside has included countless hours of genuine fun in helping over 300 of the student-athletes I have been able to work with earn a spot at a National Meet,” added the veteran coach. “The hundreds of trips and the thousands of workouts have brought me a satisfaction that cannot be described.”
UW-Parkside interim athletic director Tamie Falk-Day said, “It is with mixed emotions that I say ‘good-bye’ to Coach Mike DeWitt. I am excited for he and his family to get the opportunity to build a cross country and track program at a Catholic institution. There is no doubt that in a short period of time, Coach DeWitt will assemble a highly competitive team.”
In women’s cross country, DeWitt has won eight Great Lakes Valley Conference championships and was the league’s Coach of the Year seven times. Back in the Rangers’ NAIA days, DeWitt led his team to the NAIA national championship in 1986. He was the NAIA District or the NCAA Region Coach of the Year a dozen times.
“Winning the Women’s NAIA National Cross Country Title might be the biggest event that shows up over the past 29 years, but winning isn’t what I have enjoyed the most,” commented DeWitt. “The most satisfying things are seeing athletes progress and watching them develop into champions, even if they didn’t win a title.”
DeWitt’s teams have routinely won sportsmanship awards, individual and team Academic All-American honors, and have produced over 20 UW-Parkside Honor Graduates.
“It is an honor to have been a part of the first ever UW-Parkside cross country (fall of 1968) and track teams (winter and spring of 1970) as well as being the first ever UW-Parkside track All-American in 1972. (NAIA Indoor All American in the 2 mile Race Walk),” said DeWitt of his athletic career as a Ranger.
“It’s hard to imagine the UW-Parkside cross country and track programs without Coach DeWitt at the helm,” admitted Falk-Day. “He has touched so many student athlete lives over the years. His programs consistently achieved great success nationally while always keeping academics the top priority. I wish Mike great success and I hope he plans a team trip to UW-Parkside in the future.”
DeWitt concluded, “Having the privilege of coaching all four of my own children, watching three of four earn All-American awards (Ali, Matt, T.C.) as well as Lindsay being a scoring member of two NCAA cross country teams, along with having my wife, Pam, and each of the children help the program in various capacities over the years fills me with gratitude and pride that cannot be expressed with the right words. The great friends I have made among the coaching staff at UWP will make for countless positive thoughts about my tenure as well.
“There are so many factors that have led me to this decision, mainly, Ave Maria University is a place that will allow me to deepen my Catholic faith as well as allow me to continue to grow professionally. My wife Pam will also be teaching in the Donohue Academy, a K-12 Prep School on the AMU Campus. AMU makes for a right fit at the right time in our careers.”