SJU taps alumnus and St. Cloud native to replace hall-of-fame golf coach
COLLEGEVILLE — St. John's has named a new golf coach, replacing Athletic Director Bob Alpers who had coached the team for 29 years and is a Golf Coaches Association of America hall of famer.
"I have always looked up to Coach Alpers and I have so much respect for the program that he built," hire Chris Howe said in a release from the school. "I am going to do my very best to continue and grow the unbelievable tradition of SJU golf."
The Johnnies finished fifth in the NCAA Division III championships this spring and the 1999 alumnus will look to continue and build on the success. He has been leading the team at Concordia Moorhead for three seasons following a long hockey coaching career, including at St. Cloud Apollo, SJU, St. Cloud State and Concordia.
"I'm thrilled that Chris will be leading our golf program," Alpers said. "Chris played for me his freshman year. He is an accomplished player and knows the game. I've also seen Chris in action as a golf coach and have always been so impressed with his positivity and the way his student-athletes responded to him. His experience, energy and enthusiasm will be a perfect fit for our players and for Saint John's."
Alpers stepped aside from the head position prior to the 2021-22 season to focus on his duties as SJU's athletic director, only to return for 2022-23. Assistant coach Michael Whitlock took over the head job for the year and was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference co-coach of the year with Alpers. He is no longer listed on the team's roster.
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"Honestly, having the chance to come back and coach our remarkable young men last year was truly a gift," Alpers said. "I am so grateful for our year together. But our guys need and deserve a coach who can be there for them all the time, and our athletic department needs a full-time athletic director."
Before being promoted to head coach of the Cobbers' golf squad in 2020, Howe spent nine years on the team as an assistant coach. He also served as Concordia's men's hockey coach from 2008-21. The former SJU defenseman and St. Cloud native went into coaching after his four-year hockey career ended in 1999.
Howe said he is "humbled and honored to become the golf coach" at St. John's. He earned a bachelor's degree in social studies and secondary education during his time there and reached the DIII hockey semifinals as a Johnny in 1997.
Last year Concordia finished fifth in the MIAC golf tournament, but under Howe the Cobbers have finished as high as third in the 2021 spring championships. During his tenure, two golfers earned GCAA all-region honors and 13 were all-MIAC. He totaled a 132-148-38 record as hockey coach Concordia and the Cobbers reached the MIAC Playoffs eight-straight seasons, including a second-place finish in 2020.
Howe was named conference coach of the year in 2011. Overall Howe's hockey program produced three all-Americans, three MIAC player of the year recipients and 34 all-MIAC honorees. For several offseasons Howe has also been a lead instructor through FHIT Hockey in the Twin Cities area.
Alpers is leaving behind a career during which he won six GCAA region coach of the year awards and 14 conference coach of the year awards. In 2007, when the Johnnies won the first of back-to-back national championships, he was named the Eaton Golf Pride national coach of the year. SJU finished in the top 10 at nationals 12 times and four more times in the top 15.
The Johnnies open the season Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3 with a dual against Gustavus Adolphus at Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove and Pioneer Creek Golf Course in Maple Plain. The Johnnies return four of five starters from last year's team, all of whom won all-MIAC honors. They include seniors Nate Loxtercamp, Sam Berger and Blake Schuler, as well as junior Andrew Boemer.
"I have complete faith that Chris is the right person to lead our golf program and our players that were part of the interview process really felt a connection with him," Alpers said. "I can't wait to see what they can do together."
Contact reporter Reid Glenn at rglenn@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Red__Glenn
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: SJU names Chris Howe to replace Bob Alpers as golf coach
