For 37 years, Tim Daniel served as a pivotal figure at Dickinson State University (DSU). He was a revered coach to many, a respected colleague to others, but as he reflected on his nearly four-decade career at the university following his May retirement, he could only come up with one word to accurately describe what DSU has meant to him over the years – family.
“It sounds cliché, but everyone there is my family,” he said. “I never knew any other place of work. This place is forever a part of our lives, not just myself, but with my wife being a graduate and my kids going to school there, going to DSU is no different than going to our home or our church – everyone feels like family.”
Originally from Wyoming, Daniel’s story at DSU began following high school as he headed north to begin his collegiate basketball playing career.
Selke Hall RAs: Front Row: Matt Veit, Randy Binstock, Lou Dobitz. Second Row: John D. Barry, Tim
Daniel. (Prairie Smoke 1990)
“Dickinson is not much different from where I grew up in central Wyoming – there’s the agriculture, oil, and the people are the same,” he said. “That’s what attracted me to come here – the people. Throughout the recruiting process and how they treated me, that’s what drew me here.”
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University in 1986 and then went on to spend two years as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyoming. In 1988, Daniel served as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball program at Central Oklahoma State where he earn a master’s degree in education.
In 1989, Daniel returned to Dickinson where he began his career as a faculty member in health and physical education and a coach.
Over the years at DSU, Daniel served as the head men’s and women’s golf coach, assistant track and field coach, head women’s track and field coach, assistant men’s basketball coach and head men’s basketball coach.
As the DSU head men’s basketball coach, the Blue Hawks made appearances in the Elite Eight of the NAIA National Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2000 and then in 2001 made it to the Sweet Sixteen.
“Those two teams played really well and created a lot of excitement in the community,” he said. “A majority of those kids were from in and around Dickinson, so that really sticks out. Some of the things those kids did was amazing to watch and it was fulfilling to see them achieve that level of success.”
Back row l to r: Coach Tim Daniel, Janel George, Melanie Lowman, Michele Hillstrom,
Connie Dahlin, Sara Miller, Chantal Moore, Coach Moody.
Front row l to r: Shelese Smith, Stacey Walth, Marny Bergo, Shelly Nichol, Leslie
Gieger. (Photo Courtesy Gordon Weixel)
As head men’s and women’s golf coach, Daniel’s teams captured six Dakota Athletic Conference Championships with three women’s teams qualifying for the NAIA National Women’s Golf Tournament in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
“Especially in women’s golf, we had a run there where we were very successful,” he said. “We won multiple conference championships, went to national tournaments, and again, we did it with a group of girls from around the area who were very good players. We had just started women’s golf 6-7 years prior, and we had to fight to get the girls a chance to play. Women’s golf was an emerging college sport, especially at the small college level in the area, so we had to fight for some opportunities for them to play at the same time as the men and on courses that would qualify for national competition. That was a difficult thing to work our way through, but once we did that, we were able to go on a run and did some really good things.”
In 2011, Daniel was name Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at DSU.
“I basically tried to be an assistant coach for everybody,” he said. “I wanted to be that person to help each program be successful. There are a lot of things that can be put in place to make the coach’s job easier and give them a great chance at success – more scholarships, equipment, opportunities for facilities and other behind-the-scenes things. I really enjoyed working with all the sports and having familiarity with everything that was going on.”
Whether on the court, the course or the classroom, Daniel said the best part of his job was always his association with the players and students.
“I found that was the way I was able to stay connected,” he said. “They kept me young. You’re really able to know what’s going on with the younger kids because you’re communicating with them on a daily basis. It was a joy to be around young students and athletes that were going through an important part of their life.”
Throughout the years at DSU, Daniel operated under a simple philosophy focused on reliability and “showing up” for the people that needed him.
“It was a joy to go to work each day,” he said. “Whether as a teacher or coach, being there consistently day in and day out was something I tried to do – be there for the people. I hope that I was there for everybody and was somebody people could turn to.”
Now retired, Daniel said he’s been enjoying getting some golf and fishing in as he’s in his normal “summertime mode.”
“We’ll see what August and September brings, but right now it’s no different than a normal summer break from classes,” Daniel said on his retirement. “I’m just trying to do the things I enjoy. I have some young grandchildren I hope to spend more time with. I look forward to watching them grow up and being a part of their lives more now.”
On May 14, colleagues, friends, family and community members came together to celebrate Daniel’s career, accomplishments, and contributions to the Blue Hawk community. The room was filled with personal stories, laughs, tears, and most of all, appreciation for all Daniel had done over the years for the university.
As he transitions into retirement, one thing will always remain true, Tim Daniel is forever a Blue Hawk.