With a whistle around his neck, a clipboard in his hand, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Dickinson State University (DSU) Head Track and Cross-Country Coach Shayne Wittkopp is building a remarkable legacy at his alma mater.
Wittkopp grew up in the small town of Circle, Montana, where he was both a football and track athlete. Wittkopp noted that, like in many small Midwestern communities, football ruled, and track was an afterthought. Nevertheless, drawn by the individual challenges that track presents, Wittkopp dedicated his career to the sport of track and field.
Wittkopp’s coaching philosophy is simple: “Compete hard for your teammates and yourself, and don’t be afraid to fail.” This mindset was inspired by DSU legends Pete Stanton, current head football coach, and Hank Biesiot, former head football coach. “They would always stress doing the right things in practice and staying focused on what you can control,” Wittkopp said.
Under Wittkopp’s leadership, the DSU track and field program has flourished. Realizing the importance of recruiting, he searches the region for athletes who may have been overlooked by larger schools but possess the Blue Hawk work ethic.
The results speak for themselves. Wittkopp regularly sends athletes to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championships—bringing home an ever-growing collection of hardware.
Wittkopp has coached 25 NAIA All-Americans and two NAIA National Champions. His athletes have garnered three U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association honors for Regional Athlete of the Year, solidifying Dickinson State’s presence on the national stage. At the conference level, Wittkopp’s dominance is even more pronounced. The Blue Hawks have secured 19 North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) conference titles. His athletes have achieved 164 NSAA conference championships, set 22 conference records, and claimed 23 Most Valuable Track and Field Athlete of the Year awards.
Wittkopp has been named NSAA Coach of the Year an astounding 19 times. According to
the NAIA website, criteria for coaching awards reflect both tangible success (like
wins and championships) and intangible qualities (like leadership and mentorship)
that contribute to the overall excellence of a coach at the NAIA level.
Yet, for Wittkopp, the real victory goes beyond the trophies and accolades. It’s about
providing student-athletes with experiences that will stay with them for the rest
of their lives. He recalls a memorable track and field bus ride with Derrick Atkins,
an NAIA Hall of Fame track and field athlete and Olympian, during which they were
the last two standing in a days-long Monopoly game. “Likely, neither of us can remember
who won, but we will always remember the comradery and laughter.”
The 2024-25 Outlook
As the 2024-25 season begins, Wittkopp keeps his eye on an elusive goal—winning all six conference titles: men’s and women’s indoor track, outdoor track, and cross-country. “We’ve come close,” Wittkopp noted, “but we’ve never won all six titles in the same year.” With 46 men and 32 women on the roster, perhaps this might be the year for the Blue Hawks to achieve this historic feat. The season is especially promising with a cast of All-American and conference MVP athletes on the women’s team: Kaitlyn McColly, Kori Nagel, Adarra Hageland, Taylor Laumeyer, Maddy Wahl, and Jewel Olson.
Whether it’s at the winners’ podium or in the bonds formed on a team bus, Wittkopp’s legacy of hustle and heart has been built both on and off the track.
Dickinson State’s first track and field meet of the 2024-25 season will be held December 7, in Bismarck.
For more information on DSU’s upcoming athletics schedules, please visit dsubluehawks.com.