Contact: Bruce Conley, Associate Director of College Relations
Phone: (605) 274-5526
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu

March 23, 2005

Tribute and Roast Planned for Longtime Augie Coach

SIOUX FALLS – In December, 2004, Jim Heinitz capped 30 years of coaching when he stepped down as Augustana College’s head football coach.

In addition to 20 years at Augustana, Heinitz coached at the University of Sioux Falls, Lincoln High School and Washington High School in Sioux Falls, and at Stevens High School in Rapid City.

In recognition for his commitment to shaping the lives of young athletes, Heinitz will be the subject of a tribute and roast to be held Saturday, April 30, at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Sioux Falls.

Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with a social hour. Dinner will be served at 6:00 and the program follows at 7:00. Jeff Fylling, the radio voice of the Vikings, is the master of ceremonies. Tickets are $25 per person and are available by calling Carol Weisz at 274-5420.

With 17 seasons at the helm, Heinitz is the longest-serving and winningest head coach in Augustana’s football history. He came to Augie in 1982 as the offensive line coach. He was named head coach in November, 1984. He led the Vikings to consecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 1988 and 1989.

He was named North Central Conference coach of the year in 1988 and repeated in 1992. In those same years he was recognized as Kodak College Coach of the Year in Region Four. Twice he was chosen men’s college coach of the year by the South Dakota Sportswriters Association.
Six of his players have gone on to professional careers in the National Football League and the Canadian Football League. And many of his players are competing for the Sioux Falls Storm of the National Indoor Football League.

On the Morning of April 30, Heinitz will be attending the Augustana spring football scrimmage, which begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Vikings’ practice field.