After nine years as Athletic Director and Associate Professor of Physical Education at Hastings College, Fran Hummel has announced his retirement, effective the end of his current 2009–2010 contract.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” Hummel said. “The past nine years have been very rewarding for me personally. I’ve really enjoyed working for Hastings College.”
Hummel, who has chosen to keep his position as Head Women’s Golf Coach at Hastings College, has been involved in athletics for over 40 years. He served as athletic director and athletic fund-raiser at Minot State University before coming to Hastings College at the start of the 2001-02 academic year.
Hummel was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1985 and has received numerous conference and district Coach of the Year awards. Over his long coaching career, he has served as head coach for wrestling, tennis, football, golf, softball and track. At Hastings College, Hummel has seen the addition of the wrestling program and the completion of the college’s Track and Field Complex and Osborne Family Sports Complex.
“I take tremendous pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish here these past nine years,” Hummel said. “The coaching staff we’ve put together is one of the best in the nation, and every one of our teams is in a position to compete at a very high level in the GPAC and the NAIA. Our facilities have expanded and grown to a level where Hastings College is second to no other college in the GPAC by comparison.”
A native of Strasburg, N.D., Hummel received his Master of Science in Physical Education from Northern State University in 1972 and his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Business from Ellendale State College in 1969.
Home of the Hastings Broncos, Hastings College is a private, four-year liberal arts institution, founded in 1882, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Hastings College received the 2009 GPAC All-Sports Trophy for the best overall performance in 19 conference sports, and 53 Broncos were named Academic All-American last year.
Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.