Dan Runkle
Athletic Director
BA Illinois College; MSEd Western Illinois University
Email: drunkle@dbq.edu
Office Phone: (563) 589-3599
Welcome to the University of Dubuque Athletics web site. Athletics is an important and exciting part of campus and community life at the University of Dubuque. Whether you are a current student, alum, or a Spartan supporter, we believe Spartan athletics to be moving forward, under the leadership shown by President Dr. Jeffrey F. Bullock, and our Athletic Director, Dan Runkle.
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"Our coaches help this to happen because they are educators first. They understand what is expected of their student athletes in the classroom. While teaching students to succeed on the fields and courts, they also inspire students to persevere and accomplish their goals in the classroom. Whether teaching classes, coaching practices or games, working with club sports, or even playing on intramural teams themselves, University of Dubuque coaches bring the same high level of enthusiasm to whatever they do. And their doors are open - whether students want to talk about the contest ahead or future career plans." -- Jeffrey F. Bullock, President |
Dan Runkle joined the University of the Dubuque in August of 2002. Runkle came to the University of Dubuque after a 21-year career as Head Football and Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. He is the all-time winningest football coach at MSU, along with being the 14th winningest coach in NCAA Division II. Some of his accomplishments and accolades include: 1987 North Central Conference Coach of the Year, 1991 Football Gazzette Division II National Coach of the Year, and in 1993 he was inducted into the Illinois College Hall of Fame. During his tenure at MSU, Runkle worked with his student athletes to help them achieve a team GPA of 3.0 and to have a graduation rate of 93%. He was heavily involved in athletic staff-management and facilities planning.
"I look forward to leading the athletic program to the top of the Iowa Conference and working with President Bullock and his staff in fulfilling the mission and vision of this institution," Dan Runkle
The Spartans have won 35 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and six Hawkeye Athletic Conference titles since 1915.
The University of Dubuque sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports, nine for women and 10 for men. Our teams practice and compete in exceptional indoor and outdoor facilities. University of Dubuque competes in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC), recognized as one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the nation. University of Dubuque holds membership affiliation in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Our communications and relationships with alumni, community members, family and friends continue to be a priority. The UD Athletic Department Thank You Recipients and the Spartan Athletic Achievement Award have been implemented as recognizable avenues to support our athletic tradition of excellence. Annually, we pay tribute to former student-athletes and UD coaches in our Hall of Fame and also to the recent addition of an added Hall of Distinction, individuals who are committed to UD athletics but are not eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Thank you for visiting the University of Dubuque Athletics website. We hope you will enjoy following Spartan Athletics, supporting our teams, and cheering for our student-athletes at home and on the road!"
Dan is the proud father of two MSUM graduates, a son Tad, a graphic designer in Minneapolis, Minn., and daughter Sara, who is married and works in Willbraham, Mass.. His wife, Deb, a Certified Athletic Trainer, is UD's Senior Women's Administrator and Medical Coordinator.
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