CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston athletic department announced the resignation of Head Softball Coach Nick Weinmeister. Weinmeister will leave the Golden Eagles after three seasons to pursue a career outside of coaching.
"We are very thankful to Nick for the last three seasons he has spent as head coach of our softball program," said Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson. "Nick has led the Golden Eagles to some of our best seasons as a softball program and has helped set us up for future success. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Weinmeister spent three seasons at the helm of Minnesota Crookston guiding the Golden Eagles to the best three-year stretch in program history, including their three winningest seasons. The Golden Eagles set the program mark for wins in a season with 18 (2023) and conference wins in a season (seven) during Weinmeister's time as head coach. He helped guide Whitnee Curry to the program's first All-NSIC First Team nod since 2002. Weinmeister also coached Dana Zarn to an All-NSIC Second Team honor in 2022. He aided several Minnesota Crookston players in their achievement of career and single-season marks, including Thayda Houser setting the Career ERA and wins mark, Shaelyn Grant tying the home runs mark and RBIs tally. He also helped Paige Shwaluk achieve the stolen base mark, and Alina Avalos to the most hits in a season, among others.
"I am so thankful for the opportunity to be the head coach of Minnesota Crookston softball and work with amazing student-athletes, coaches, athletic department staff, and university faculty and staff," Weinmeister said. "We have done some great things over the last three years and that is all credited to the student-athletes and their commitment to getting better every day. Although not all of the goals I set out for myself and this program were accomplished during my time, I am confident that this program is positioned to continue the great trajectory that it is currently on. I can't wait to see what the future holds for all of the great student-athletes I had the chance to work with, and I will always support Golden Eagle softball and Minnesota Crookston athletics!"
Weinmeister came to the Golden Eagles in the summer of 2021 after three seasons as head softball coach at Southwestern Community College, where he helped build a team that didn't even field a squad in 2018 to a contender in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). He also served as assistant athletic director from 2019-21 at Southwestern Community College. Prior to Southwestern Community College, Weinmeister spent five seasons at Northland College in Ashland, Wis. He was the head baseball coach for the Lumberjacks from 2015-18. Weinmeister is a native of Janesville, Iowa.
The Golden Eagles will begin a search for the next Golden Eagle head softball coach immediately.
