Minnesota State University Moorhead athletic director Chad Markuson has announced that Tim Bergstraser has been named the Dragon head men’s basketball coach. Bergstraser had served as the program’s top assistant coach since 2018.
“Having the opportunity to be the head coach at a place that has done so much for me in my coaching journey is something special,” Bergstraser said. “I am grateful to be in this position to lead a program of winning tradition. I would like to share my gratitude towards President Anne Blackhurst, Athletic Director Chad Markuson, the search committee and athletic department for trusting me as the next head coach.”
“Tim Bergstraser rose to the top of the class as our next men’s basketball head coach,” Markuson said. “He has played a vital and significant role in the recruitment and development of our basketball team over the past few years. He was overwhelming endorsed by the student-athletes, search committee and department. He shares the university core values and has the heart of a teacher. He wants to lead the men of the program in basketball but also in life. I am excited for the future of the men’s basketball team and the athletic department with Tim as our head men’s basketball coach.”
Bergstraser, 31, has been a part of the success of the Dragon program, starting as a graduate assistant in 2015-17 before returning as the full-time assistant coach in 2018. Dragon teams were 112-53 while Bergstraser was an assistant under former head coach Chad Walthall. That stretch has included four NCAA tournament appearances, two NSIC championships, and the 2022 NSIC Tournament Championship, which was the first in program history.
Bergstraser was a graduate assistant at MSUM from 2015-17, and was an assistant coach at Quincy University in 2017-18 before returning to MSUM.
A former player at St. Cloud State, Bergstraser was part of the Huskies’ Final Four team in 2009-10 and was an All-NSIC second team performer in 2011-12 before injuries ended his playing career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation and sports management form St. Cloud State and a master’s degree from MSUM in educational leadership in 2017.
“I love my Dragon family here at MSUM,” Bergstraser said. “This university is an easy sell to recruits and families with the community that surrounds us. The foundation of the program is strong and I am confident on how we can continue to build a respectable team to compete for championships. To my family, Chad Walthall, personal mentors, current and former players- I owe you everything. I understand how big of a job this is in our league. I am driven to make sure we continue to have success and represent our university the right way with a first-class approach.”
https://www.msumdragons.com/news/2022/5/16/bergstraser-named-msum-head-mens-basketball-coach.aspx
