February 22, 2024
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State University Athletics Director Jeff Dittman is excited to announce the hiring of Todd Stank as the inaugural women's soccer head coach. DSU will be starting their women's soccer program as the 14th program, the newest sport since the development of the Esports program in 2019.
"I would like to thank President (Dr. Jose Marie) Griffiths, Athletics Director Jeff Dittman, the search committee, and all of DSU Athletics for providing me with this fantastic opportunity," said Stank. "I would also like to thank my wife Lori for her unwavering support, sacrifice, and for being willing to step into another adventure. From the moment we walked on to campus, we were impressed with the energy, passion, and commitment of the Trojan community."
"We are very excited that Coach Stank has agreed to pioneer our women's soccer program," said Dittman. "With his background and record of success, we are looking forward to watching him to build a quality women's soccer program at Dakota State University!"
Dakota State women's soccer team will be playing their home contests at the Dan Beacom Track Complex, which includes a turf soccer field.
Stank comes to Dakota State from St. Clair Community College (Mich.) where he was the women's soccer head coach since 2020. He started the inaugural women's soccer program at St. Clair.
He had a successful coaching career at NAIA's Rochester (Mich.), where his 2016 squad captured the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) postseason tournament and advanced to the NAIA national tournament for the first time in program history.
Stank was recognized as the Champions of Character Coach of the Year twice in 2017 and 2018 by the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.
His teams earned the National Soccer Coaches Association Team Ethics award six times, as well as team academic award five times during the 2010's decade.
Stank has over 25 years of coaching experience in soccer at all levels, including high school and soccer clubs.
He received his bachelor's degree in maintenance technology from Siena Heights (Mich.). He holds licenses from the United States Soccer Coaches Association and the United States Soccer Federation.
"I am eager to bring my passion, dedication, and experience to the role of Head Coach and use all that I have learned throughout my career into making the Trojan soccer program something that the players, the University, and the community can be proud of," said Stank. "Starting today, we being to lay the foundation for a culture of excellence, to establish our standards, and start building our Trojan Soccer history."
