BROOKINGS - Jared Baszler, who has coached the South Dakota State University men's and women's golf teams on a part-time basis the last five seasons, has been promoted to a full-time position, Director of Athletics Fred Oien announced Tuesday.

"Jared has taken our golf program to the next level during transition, both academically and athletically," Oien said. "He has provided our golf teams with exceptional competitive experiences. We are very proud he has accepted the full time coaching responsibilities for Jackrabbit golf. He has a passion to provide the best for our student-athletes."

Baszler led the Jackrabbits through their transition to Division I, guiding the women's team to a third-place showing and the men's squad to a runner-up finish at the 2006 Division I Independent Championships. This past spring, SDSU wrapped up its first season as a member of The Summit League by placing second in the women's division and fifth in the men's standings at the league championships.

"I would like to thank the SDSU athletic department for giving me this opportunity," Baszler said.

"I am looking forward to giving 100 percent of my attention to the golf programs at SDSU. I am excited for the future considering we have made a lot of progress the past five years while going through our D-I transition and me being a part-time coach."

Also during the 2007-08 season, Hillary Gerster was named Summit League Newcomer of the Year and was joined on the all-Summit League First Team by Amanda Rosol.

In men's competition, Rapid City's Geoff Mead and Trent Peterson earned tournament medalist honors at the Cleveland State and Beu/Mussato invitationals, respectively, with Peterson earning a spot on the all-Summit League Second Team.

A De Smet native, Baszler competed collegiately at Grinnell College (Iowa), earning Midwest Conference medalist honors in both 1999 and 2002. He graduated from Grinnell in 2002 with a degree in computer science.