CROOKSTON, Minn. - Long-time University of Minnesota Crookston Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Nate Mahlen has been named Assistant Athletic Director for Events and Operations. In Mahlen's new role, he will oversee Minnesota Crookston's event management operations for all 14 athletic teams. He will also oversee athletic facilities and operations and scheduling for the Minnesota Crookston athletic department.
"I first want to thank Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson and Chancellor (Mary) Holz-Clause for the opportunity to move into the next chapter of my career here at UMN Crookston," Mahlen said. "I enjoy working here at UMN Crookston so much and am very excited to continue working here in my new role. I have been so blessed over the past 16 years with all the memories that have been created with so many great people including all the former players and assistant coaches. I especially want to thank Mike Roysland for not only giving me the opportunity to coach alongside him for all these years but for also being such a great mentor to me and pushing me to be the best that I could be. Lastly, I want to thank my wife Rochelle and three kids for all the support and commitment that they have made throughout all these years as well."
Mahlen recently wrapped up a 16-year career as an assistant women's basketball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston. He worked alongside Head Coach Mike Roysland to help establish the winningest women's sports program in Division II history for Minnesota Crookston athletics. Mahlen helped the Golden Eagles to four NSIC Tournament appearances, including a school-record 18 wins during the 2015-16 season.
In his new role Mahlen will move into administration. He has helped out with event management over his career at Minnesota Crookston, including helping with volleyball, baseball and softball games, painting soccer lines on the field prior to home games. Mahlen also helped oversee game management, specifically press box operations, for the Minnesota Crookston football team from 2012-19. He worked with former Assistant Athletic Director Gary Warren on other duties related to game management and operations, as they arose.
Mahlen was a major part of great successes in the women's basketball program over the last 16 years. He helped the Golden Eagles to six NSIC Tournament quarterfinals or appearances where not every team made it. Mahlen helped Minnesota Crookston to a program-record 18 wins during the 2015-16 campaign. In his 16 years, he helped coach seven players to 1,000 point careers, including four of the program's top-five scorers (Jamie Zelinsky, Katrina Nordick, Isieoma Odor, and Alexa Thielman). Mahlen was a part of 145 wins in his career as an assistant coach. He helped 12 players to 16 All-NSIC nods. In addition Katrina (Moenkedick) Nordick was an All-Region selection, while Emma Miller was NSIC Freshman of the Year. He worked with Roysland, who he played for as a prep at Win-E-Mac High School.
In addition to his background with women's basketball, and event management, Mahlen served as the head coach for women's golf from 2007-14. He helped recruit Katie Sheetz, one of the most prolific players in school history.
Mahlen graduated from Jamestown College (University of Jamestown) in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, with a minor in physical education, and an emphasis in coaching. Mahlen lives in Fosston, Minn., with his wife Rochelle. They have three kids, Noah, who is a student at UMN Crookston, Brynlea, and Lexi.
