By Scott A. Kolb

Post-Bulletin, Austin MN 

Riverland softball coach Dave Lillemon will be in the home dugout for the final time on Tuesday afternoon as he'll step down after the season.

The last home doubleheader of the season for the Lady Blue Devils of Riverland is against Rochester Community and Technical College.

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 team. He will continue to serve as the college's athletic director as well as teaching mathematics and physical education classes.

This year's team is in on the verge of reaching its third consecutive trip to the state tournament. Last year, the Lady Devils finished fourth in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference State Tournament.

"I want to thank the administration at Riverland for supporting my decision to step aside as a coach," Lillemon said. "After 34 years of coaching, it's 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 seasons. Lillemon also coached men and women's golf for 14 years. In 2003, he became the athletic director for both men and women's sports. He reduced his coaching load at that time, but returned to softball in 2007 and rebuilt the program to its present status.

During his overall career, Lillemon has coached his teams to over 200 wins. His overall basketball coaching record is 115-244, with his best season coming in 1997-98. The Blue Devils finished 14-8 that season, and made it to the state tournament.

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 1990 and 1991, where his team was state runner-up to Normandale.

In men's golf, Lillemon had a streak of eight 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 achieved All-American honors. In women's golf, Riverland was the state runner-up in 1997-98 and Region XIII champions.

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'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 the women's fast-pitch softball team starting next season. Swift is also the head men's basketball coach for the Blue Devils.

"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."

The Lady Devils are on the road this weekend for a pair of divisional doubleheaders, before returning home for Lillemon's farewell regular season twinbill. The state tournament begins next Friday in St. Cloud.