RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota School of Mines Athletic Director Joel Lueken in conjunction with Monument Health Orthopedics are pleased to announce the hiring of Brock Behrndt as the new Director of Performance.

"Welcome to the family. We are really glad to have Brock on board," Lueken said.

Behrndt comes to South Dakota Mines after serving as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning at The Citadel (NCAA Div. I) working mainly with baseball, cross country and volleyball for the past year.

"I want to thank the administration and coaches for allowing me to come across the country and build something special at South Dakota Mines," Behrndt said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for myself and my assistant to build a program that will help our athletes succeed both in their sport, as well as in their everyday lives."

Before joining the S&C staff at The Citadel, Behrndt spent two years as a graduate assistant at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. While with the Wildcats, he designed and implemented programs for the baseball, softball, track & field and women's rugby programs.
 
Prior to joining the Wildcats staff, Behrndt interned at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Texas), where he assisted with the football, baseball, men's basketball, soccer and volleyball programs.
 
Prior to TCU, Behrndt interned at his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State (Maryville, Missouri), where he assisted with the football, baseball, soccer, track & field and volleyball programs.
 
Behrndt was a two-time football National Champion at Northwest Missouri State (2013 & 2015). He was a member of the 2013 football team that was inducted into the NWMSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
Behrndt graduated from Northwest in the spring of 2017 with a B.S. in Corporate Recreation and Wellness, with an emphasis in Exercise Science. He added his M.S. in Athletic Administration from Central Washington in spring of 2019.

"We are very excited to have Brock join Hardrocker Athletics," said Cassie Kosiba, Hardrocker Associate Athletics Director of Internal Operations. "He comes to us with a broad range of experiences which will serve him well here at South Dakota Mines. Brock's knowledge, thoroughness and passion for working with student-athletes was evident throughout the interview process. We have no doubt he will make a positive impact on each one of our programs."

 Behrndt is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association, is a USA Level 1 Sports Performance Coach. He also holds the Pn-1 Certification through Precision Nutrition as well as being First Aid, CPR and AED certified through the American Red Cross.

"I can't wait to get to Rapid City and get started," added Behrndt. "Go Hardrockers."