DENVER — David Stewart has been promoted to Nordic head coach at the University of Denver, DU senior associate athletics director for intercollegiate sport programs Ron Grahame announced today.
“As assistant coach I have had the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of student-athletes at the University of Denver,†said Stewart, who spent one season as Nordic assistant coach before the promotion. “It has been my pleasure to contribute to the success the team achieved this past season. As head coach I hope to carry on the unparalleled tradition of excellence that has been created by Wolf and the coaches that came before him. I am proud to be a part of DU and honored to have been named Nordic head coach.â€
Stewart replaces Wolf Wallendorf who will return home to Germany after accepting a job in the private sector.
“My time at DU marked an extraordinary time in my life and I am sad to leave here, but I was offered a new professional challenge in my homeland of Germany,†said Wallendorf, who helped the Pioneers win three consecutive NCAA championships from 2000-02 as a skier and another title in 2005 as an assistant coach. “DU has given me much more than an education and a great place to work. I will always be an active part of the DU family. I know Dave will do an excellent job as Nordic head coach and continue our tradition. I wish the ski team and everyone at the University of Denver all the best and ‘Maximale Erfolge.’â€
Stewart is a 2000 graduate from the University of Vermont, where he represented the Catamounts at three NCAA Championships. After graduating from Vermont, he has raced professionally for six years and was a 2006 national champion in the sprint relay. He also represented the United States in the World Cup in 2005.
Every member of the Nordic team that helped DU take second at the 2007 NCAA Championships is expected to return in 2008, including individual national champions John Stene and Rene Reisshauer, who have won four of the past six individual titles.
The search for a new Nordic assistant coach will begin immediately.