Winona, MN-
(photo courtesy of Austin Daily Herald)
Riverland Community College announced today that Derek Hahn, the Blue Devils baseball and men's basketball coach, will also serve as the Athletic Director. Hahn replaces Helen Jahr in the new role and will continue as head coach of both the baseball and men's basketball teams.
Chelsea Anderson, Riverland Dean of Students, notes: "Derek Hahn has been an integral part of the coaching staff at Riverland for the past seven seasons. He has been a natural leader within the Blue Devils Athletics department and brings great experience, knowledge and skills. He is a mentor to new coaches and is a respected leader within the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). Hahn is passionate about student success on and off the court and has a strong ability to lead groups of people in the right direction and maximize their individual abilities for a greater group output...The Blue Devils Athletics program is an integral part of Riverland's strategic enrollment and retention initiatives. In the interview process, Hahn spoke to how he would translate his vision into strategy, taking Blue Devils Athletics to the next level over the next few years."
Hahn was named head men's basketball coach at Riverland in June of 2015. Over the past five years the program has reached new heights including this past year as the Blue Devils were MCAC Southern Division co-Champions for the first time since 1972-1973, finishing with a 24-6 overall record. They finished runner-up in the NJCAA Region XIII Tournament for the first time in school history with Hahn receiving MCAC Coach-of-Year..
Hahn served as an assistant baseball coach for six seasons with the baseball program at Riverland, before becoming head coach in June of 2018. In his first season as head coach the Blue Devils were MCAC Southern Division Champions (15-1 southern division). Hahn was named MCAC Coach of the Year for the second time in a calendar year for the team's performance on the diamond during the spring.
The Lakeville, Minnesota product started his college career as a student-athlete at Riverland Community College (2008-2010). He was a two-sport athlete at RCC, suiting up for both the men's basketball and baseball teams. During his time as a Blue Devil, Riverland made back to back trips to the NJCAA World Series in Tyler, Texas with the baseball program. Hahn was elected Male Athlete of the Year in 2010 at Riverland. He went on to compete in basketball
Anderson, Riverland Dean of Students, also offered: "Derek Hahn looks forward to working with athletic administrators across the MCAC to continue building the great foundation that exists here at Riverland Community College in athletics. The hope is to create an entire department of competitive teams for years to come. Hahn looks forward to building relationships to help grow the department in all areas on and off the competitive surfaces. Go Devils!"
For more on Riverland Community College, go to: https://www.riverland.edu/
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, as well as select member colleges in North Dakota and Wisconsin. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.
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