MITCHELL, S.D. After eight years at Dakota Wesleyan University, Tiger track and field and cross country Head Coach Patrick Belling is stepping down effective immediately, DWU Athletic Director Curt Hart announced Thursday.

Belling recently completed his ninth season as the head cross country coach and was in preparation for the upcoming Tiger indoor track and field season. Belling is resigning to pursue other opportunities.

I would like to thank Pat for his dedication to Dakota Wesleyan and everything he has done for his athletes and colleagues at the university,” Hart said. We wish Pat all of the best in his future endeavors.”

In his first eight seasons at DWU, Belling coached seven All-Americans, 57 NAIA National Meet qualifiers, 65 All-GPAC selections, 20 NAIA Scholar Athletes and four GPAC Athletes of the Week.

I have been very fortunate over the past eight years to call DWU home,” Belling said. I have met and worked with many great people here at DWU. To my fellow coaches, faculty and staff it was a pleasure to work with all of you. I want to thank Curt Hart, Jon Hart and (DWU President) Amy Novak for their support and providing me with a wonderful experience. I firmly believe I have the best group of student athletes. They are great students, great athletes, but more importantly great people. To the track and cross country teams, thank you for everything.”

Belling, an Omaha, Neb., native, was a three-time NCAA All-American sprinter at the University of South Dakota and a member of NCC Championship teams. He was a member of the 4 400-meter relay squad that finished sixth at the 2002 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships. Belling was also a member of the 4 100-meter relay team that set a state record with a time of 40.80 in 2001-02.

A graduate of Omaha Roncalli Catholic High School, Belling earned state championships in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dashes at the 1999 Nebraska State Track Meet. Prior to coming to DWU, Belling spent three seasons as the graduate assistant track and field coach at USD.

“We cannot thank Pat enough for what he has done for our track and field and cross country programs over the past eight years,” DWU Associate Athletic Director Jon Hart said. His dedication to the program and DWU has been second to none. He has built a solid program and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Curt Hart said the search for a new track and field and cross country coach will begin immediately.