By: Austin Daily Herald

Riverland Community College has named Dan Swift as women's fast-pitch softball coach. His coaching responsibilities will include conducting practices, coordinating athlete conditioning, travel with the team, recruiting future players and other related responsibilities. He replaces former softball coach David Lillemon who will concentrate his efforts on his responsibilities as athletic director and teaching mathematics and physical education courses at Riverland.

"I am thrilled to have Dan as our new softball coach," said Riverland Athletic Director David Lillemon. "He has a great track record for recruiting student athletes who are also strong in academics for our basketball program and we think he will carry on that tradition for our women's softball program."

Swift received a master's degree in education, with an emphasis in college teaching, from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and a bachelor of science degree in education, with a major in physical education, from Mayville State University in Mayville, N.D.

The Riverland athletics program has been going through a restructuring phase by reinvesting in equipment upgrades, hiring new staff and moving from part-time coaching positions to positions that offer teaching assignments, as well.

"These exciting changes in our athletic and physical education departments have been a part of our strategic plan since 2005." said Ron Langrell, executive vice president for Riverland. "Not only will Dan Swift work as a coach for Riverland, he will also teach various physical education classes."

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.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.