Lillemon is currently in his third and final season as the women's softball coach a program he resurrected in the spring of 2007 after two years of not being able to field a competitive team.

His current team is in on the verge of reaching its third consecutive trip to the state tournament. Last year, the Lady Blue Devils finished fourth in the MCAC state tournament

"I want to thank the administration at Riverland for supporting my decision to step aside as a coach," said Lillemon. "After 34 years of coaching it is time for me to step aside and start a new chapter in my life. I still love to teach and that will never go away. It has always been academics first, sports second and I have tried to make that a priority for students as a coach here at Riverland."

Lillemon has had a long and successful career at Riverland including 16 years at the helm of the men's basketball program. He started in the fall of 1987 as head football, basketball and baseball coach. In 1988, he became the men's athletic director and continued coaching basketball and baseball for six more years. He coached men's and women's golf for 14 years until the program ended this year. In 2003, he became the athletic director for both men's and women's sports. He reduced his coaching load at that time, but returned to coaching women's softball in 2007 to rebuild the program to its status.

During his overall coaching career, Lillemon has coached his teams to over 200 wins. His overall basketball coaching record is 115-244, his best season in 1997-98, finishing 14-8. Two games were lost in the state tournament, one in overtime to Central Lakes in the opening round. Lillemon coached his 100th win in 2000-01 with a 73-70 thriller against Anoka Ramsey Community College.

Lillemon coached two baseball teams to the state tournament, in 1989-90 and 90-91, where his team was state runner-up to Normandale.

In men's golf, Dave had a streak of 8 consecutive years where at least one golfer he coached qualified for the NJCAA national tournament. He had four golfers finish in the top 20 in the nation, and two were All-American. His teams repeatedly finished in the top five in the state and Region tournaments. In women?s golf, Riverland was state runner-up in 1997-98 and Region XIII champions. In 2003-04 and 2004-05, two golfers qualified for the NJCAA national women?s golf championships.

Lillemon also coached four Academic All-Americans, two in softball and two in golf. Seven teams in different sports won the state All-Academic teams. This past fall he had three women earn MCAC All-Academic Honors. His men?s team had five players earn the prestigious MCAC All-Academic team.

"Dave has been a tireless advocate for students, high academic achievement, and good sportsmanship," said Ron Langrell, Riverland Community College's executive vice president. "It is difficult to find a coach who will devote 34 years to athletics and academics at any college today."

Riverland recently named Dan Swift as the new head coach for women's fast-pitch softball in addition to coaching basketball and current teaching duties.

"This has been a tremendous ride for me," stated Lillemon. "I will look back and cherish many great moments that will be with me forever."

Riverland Community College is a member of the Minnesota Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIII. Eligibility requirements are established by the NJCAA and the MCAC. The Riverland athletics program includes men's basketball and baseball and women's volleyball, basketball and softball. Riverland recently announced the addition of a competitive team in men's soccer in 2009.

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Approximately 4,000 students are served, annually, through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities. An additional 5,600 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Facilities are located in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.

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