After 13 years as a member of the St. Catherine University athletics department – including seven successful seasons as the Head Basketball Coach – Gary Rufsvold is leaving the University to pursue other opportunities, Athletic Director Eric Stacey announced Thursday.
 
“Gary has given a great deal to our department and our basketball program,” Stacey said.  “His work ethic and dedication to the University have been second to none and I wish him the best moving forward.”
 
Rufsvold spent the last year serving as the Assistant to the Associate Athletic Director for Facility Planning and Development after resigning from his post with the basketball program last August. He spent 12 seasons with the program in both head and assistant coaching roles.
 
“(Being at St. Catherine) has been a great experience,” said Rufsvold. “College coaching is something I always wanted to do and I would like to thank the administration for giving me that opportunity. 
 
“I would also like to thank the many players who have been my privilege to coach. The program is in good hands with Coach Sean Pinkerton, and the return of Tim Kjar to the program as an assistant is going to make a great addition to the coaching staff.”
 
When Rufsvold arrived at St. Catherine as an assistant coach in 2000, he helped turnaround a team that had just finished a 1-21 season. When he took over the program as head coach in 2006-07, Rufsvold led the Wildcats to a 15-11 record and it's first-ever MIAC playoff appearance, earning him MIAC Coach of the Year honors.
 
During his tenure, Rufsvold led the Wildcat basketball team to its first MIAC playoff win and semi-final appearance in 2008-09. Rufsvold's players earned seven All-MIAC and four All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors during his time as head coach. He also was integral in developing the junior varsity basketball program at St. Catherine.

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