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UNK Athletics: Long Time Loper Coach Stepping Down
Long Time Coach Stepping Down
Has Been Involved with UNK Athletics for 22 Years, College
Athletics for Over 50 Years
by Peter Yazvac, UNK Sports Information Director
Kearney, Neb. - Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Director
Jon McBride announced today that Dick
Beechner will step down as head men's golf coach on August
1st.
Beechner has been a part of UNK Athletics for the past 22 years,
serving as Athletic Director from 1987-96 and then leading the
Loper golf program the past 13 seasons.
On the links, UNK won three RMAC titles and made seven straight
NCAA Super Regional appearances under Beechner's leadership.
Additionally, he coached five All-Americans and was involved with
the NCAA Division II national golf committee.
During his coaching tenure at UNK, Beechner was also involved with
the Kearney Sports & Recreation Committee, the Nebraska High
School Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame.
"We can't begin to put into words how much we appreciate all of
Dick's tireless efforts on behalf of the UNK Athletic Department
and the Loper men's golf program. It will be difficult to
find someone to replace him and he will be missed," said McBride.
"Our goal will be to carry on with the same sense of pride
and dedication that Dick has demonstrated all these years while
establishing such a successful program."
Before coming to Kearney, Beechner coached football at Hiram Scott
College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska-Lincoln, Missouri and Washington
State. He also served as an associate A.D. at Washington State.
In 2009, UNK will have a senior-laden team, including 2008 Super
Regional qualifier Justin Onken. The search for Beechner's
replacement will begin immediately.
