Myron Schulz has decided that 2025 will be his final year.
Bismarck State College Director of Athletics Myron Schulz announced on Wednesday morning that he’s calling it a career after nearly 40 years in athletics and education. He told BSC that he will be retiring at the beginning of next year, with Jan. 2, 2026, being his final day in office.
“It’s been such an honor to be able to spend these past four years with BSC,” says Schulz. “I have such a great love for my alma mater, and I wanted to execute their vision of moving to the NAIA, constructing a new facility to upgrade our student experience, and to add new sports and opportunities for our student-athletes. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and excited to see BSC athletics continue to grow.”
Schulz was hired as the director of athletics at BSC on Aug. 24, 2021, and in just over four years at the helm, has helped reach the vision that was presented on day one. This fall, BSC transitioned from two-year to four-year athletics when it officially moved from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In June 2024, the college broke ground on the new Bavendick Center, a $40 million facility that will serve as the new home of the Mystics starting in the spring of 2026. And since 2021, BSC has grown from seven to 19 sports, with additions including competitive dance, drone racing, rodeo, men’s and women’s wrestling, indoor and outdoor track and field, and cross country.
“Myron has led BSC Athletics with both heart and vision,” says BSC Interim President Dan Leingang. “His leadership has helped set the stage for a promising future for BSC athletics. We are grateful for his dedication to our college, our athletic programs, and most importantly, to our student-athletes whose lives he has impacted.”
Prior to BSC, Schulz served at the University of Mary, another alma mater. After obtaining his Bachelor of Applied Science there in 1987, he joined the Marauders football coaching staff for their first varsity season. In 1989, he took an opportunity to teach and coach in New Rockford, N.D., before heading to Montana State to earn his master’s degree and work as a graduate assistant coach for the Bobcats football program. Schulz returned to UMary in 1992, where he served as the defensive coordinator until the 1999 season, when he was elevated to head coach. He held that role for 15 years as his teams compiled a 103-60 record, making him the winningest coach in Marauder history. Many members of his staff would go on to lead successful coaching careers, including current Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and Atlanta Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams. After his final game at UMary, Schulz stayed to lead their sport and leisure management program, teaching for eight years before his return to BSC.
Schulz is truly a Bismarck kid at heart, having grown up less than a mile from BSC’s campus and having fond memories of hanging out at the Armory. He graduated from Century High School in 1983 and began his studies at then Bismarck Junior College, playing football (strong safety) and baseball for the Mystics. He earned his associate degree and now, almost 40 years later, he’s led the BSC Athletic Department to new heights.
Myron retires from an athletic director role that has been highlighted by stability at BSC. He is just the fourth person to lead the department in its more than 60-year history, preceded only by Buster Gillis (1999-2021), Ed Kringstad (1968-1999) and Henry “Woody” Wilson (1965-1968). Prior to 1965, students were competing in collegiate athletics, but the college didn’t employ an athletic director.
BSC now begins the search for its fifth director of athletics. Interested candidates can apply at bismarckstate.edu/Employment.