Vikings to hold dedication at stadium honoring Jim Heinitz on October 1
According to the website of Augustana University (AU) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (http://www.augie.edu/), university officials announced on Thursday, September 1, that the football field at Kirkeby-Over Stadium will be named in honor of former longtime coach and all-time wins leader Jim Heinitz, a native of Mountain Lake. Heinitz, the son of Marie Heinitz of Mountain Lake, and the late Jack Heinitz, graduated from Mountain Lake Public High School in 1968. He was a stellar three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) in high school, and is a member of the Mountain Lake High School Athletic Hall of Fame, entering with the inaugural Class of 2004.
A ceremony will be held prior to Augustana Vikings’ game against its crosstown rival, the University of Sioux Falls Cougars, on Saturday, October 1, to dedicate the field. Which makes sense as Heinitz coached the game for 30 years – beginning at Sioux Falls College (now University of Sioux Falls) – and ending at Augie.
Heinitz ended his coaching career in 2004 as the longest tenured coach in Augustana football history after roaming the sidelines for 17 seasons. Heinitz coached the Vikings for eight seasons from 1985-1992, before returning in 1996 and spending nine more seasons as the head coach. He finished his career with 79 wins (51 in North Central Conference play) and two NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Playoff appearances.
“Jim Heinitz faithfully served Augustana for more than 20 years – not only as a football coach, but as an exceptional leader of young men,” Augustana University president Rob Oliver said. “His guidance on and off the field helped shape his players’ lives and instilled in them the importance of working hard and serving others. After his retirement, Jim has continued to be a strong supporter of Viking football. It is a great honor indeed to name the field inside Kirkeby-Over Stadium in his honor.”
Heinitz was named the Vikings’ head coach late in 1984 and served for eight years. He joined the private business sector following the 1992 season and then returned to Augustana in December of 1995 to resume his coaching career.
Following the close of his coaching career, he has worked at Furniture Mart USA, which includes Furniture Mart, Unclaimed Freight and Ashley Furniture Homestores throughout the Midwest. At first, he was director of sales; he became CEO (Chief Executive Officer) in 2008.