RAPID CITY, S.D. -- South Dakota Mines and Hardrocker Athletics are pleased to announce the promotion of Eric Engelken as the new strength and conditioning head coach after spending the past two years as the strength and conditioning assistant coach for the Hardrockers.
 
"Observing Coach Engelken the past two years, it was an easy decision to promote him to the head coaching position," said Hardrocker Athletics Director Joel Lueken. "Eric has a substantial knowledge and passion for the development of our student athletes and that is evident by the strides each program has made on the field of competition."
 
During his two years as the assistant S&C coach, Engelken supervised and programmed for the men and women's track and field teams;  the men's and women's cross country teams; the men's basketball program; and the men's soccer program. He also assisted with the athletic development for the football, women's volleyball and women's basketball programs.
 
"I'm happy that the Hardrocker Athletic Dept. trusts me to take on this position and I am more than grateful that I get to continue coaching our scholar-athletes," Engelken said. "For me there is no other career I'd rather be doing than getting an opportunity like this to make a lasting impact on our scholar-athletes at SD Mines."
 
Prior to Engelken's time in Rapid City, he coached at two different NCAA Div. I programs --- the University of Kansas and Florida International University.  
 
At the University of Kansas, Engelken assisted with the athletic development for football and six different track and field event groups from 2015-2017. 
 
At Florida International University he assisted with the athletic development of all 14 men and women's teams in 2014. 
 
Engelken has also received his masters in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas in 2016 and prior earned his bachelors degree at Graceland University while playing collegiate soccer from 2009-2013.