Former SCSU Grad Assistant Named Head Coach at Pacific University
May 22, 2008
FOREST GROVE, OR - Pacific University
Director of Athletics Ken Schumann has announced that Severin Walsh
will become the next head coach of the Pacific men's and women's
wrestling program.
Walsh comes to Pacific after two seasons as the top graduate assistant
coach at St. Cloud State University, a NCAA Division II program in St.
Cloud, Minn. Walsh replaces Scott Miller, who announced his retirement
from coaching in March after six years leading the Boxers. Walsh is the
ninth coach in the history of the program.
"I am honored that I was chosen to be the next coach," Walsh said. "I
would like to thank President (Phil) Creighton and Ken Schumann for
hiring me. It means a lot to me that they have the confidence in me to
take on the position. Pacific has a storied program and I have known
about and the institution for a long time. I have had a lot of respect
for the program and I am honored that they have chosen me to carry on
that tradition of wrestling at Pacific. I look forward to being a part
of the Boxer family."
Walsh, a native of Washington state, was selected after a nationwide
search that saw finalists chosen from every corner of the United
States. "Sev rose to the top as the best fit for our athletic
department and our wrestling program," Schumann said. "I am happy to
welcome Sev to our team and expect a high level of success over the
years to come."
Walsh has spent the last two seasons as the top graduate assistant
coach at St. Cloud State. During his tenure, Walsh has helped lead
eight Huskies' wrestlers to NCAA Division II national tournament
berths. During the 2006-07 season, the Huskies finished 12th at the
NCAA Division II Championships and set a new school record with 13 dual
meet victories. The Huskies also finished 12th at the 2008
championships.
As coordinator of St. Cloud State's academic efforts, Walsh saw the
Huskies rank as one of the top academic programs at the Division II
level. The 2007-08 team finished with a cumulative 3.2 grade point
average, eighth best among NCAA Division II wrestling teams, and saw
John Sundgren, Westy Hanson and Matt Jackson earn Division II
All-Academic honors.
Prior to arriving at St. Cloud State, Walsh spent two seasons as an
assistant coach at Dana College, a successful NAIA program in Blair,
Neb. At Dana, Walsh helped coach the Vikings to a fourth place
nationals finish in 2005 and the National Wrestling Coaches Association
(NCWA) national dual championship and NAIA national championship in
2006. In addition, Dana's 2006 team boasted the top non-Division I
recruiting class in the nation.
Walsh began his coaching career at William Penn University in
Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he helped lead the Statesmen to a pair of NAIA
Central Region championships, an 11th place NAIA National Tournament
finish in 2003 and a sixth place finish in 2004.
Walsh said he is grateful to those in his past who have helped him in
the coaching ranks over the years. "(St. Cloud State Coach Steve)
Costanzo and (William Penn Coach Gary) Garvis have been great mentors
to me," Walsh said. "I cannot thank them enough for their mentorship
over the years and their help in becoming the coach at Pacific."
A 1995 Washington high school state champion, Walsh wrestled two
seasons for Yakima Valley Community College before transferring to
William Penn. He was the 2002 NAIA Central Region champion at 285
pounds and competed in the 2002 NAIA National Championships.
A native of Coulee City, Wash., Walsh earned his Bachelor's degree in
wellness and recreation from William Penn in 2004 and a teaching
certification from Dana in 2006. He is currently completing his
Master's degree at St. Cloud State in physical education. Walsh and his
wife, Annette, are the proud parents of a newborn son, Ezekiel, who was
born in March.