‘A dream come true’ for acclaimed high school coach and 1980 M State grad
In a highly anticipated move, acclaimed high school basketball coach Dave Cresap has been appointed as the new head coach for the M State Spartans men’s basketball team.
A 1980 alumnus of M State and a Minnesota native, Cresap has enjoyed a lauded coaching career spanning decades across Minnesota and North Dakota, earning recognition for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to student athletes.
Cresap’s impressive tenure at Perham Yellowjackets, where he served for 28 years, saw him amass a notable 660 victories, ranking him eighth in the all-time list of boys basketball coaches in Minnesota.
His achievements also include 10 conference championships and five state tournament appearances between 2011 and 2022.
These significant accomplishments led to Cresap’s induction into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Having won multiple accolades, including the National Male Sport Coach of the Year in 2011 and Minnesota Coach of the Year twice, Cresap is renowned for his exceptional work ethic, passion, and competitive spirit.
His achievements extend beyond Minnesota, with a successful nine-year stint in North Dakota earning him the title of District Coach of the Year twice.
“Coach Cresap brings an enviable track record and an unparalleled understanding of basketball,” said Dave Roberts, M State’s interim director of athletics, campus life, and housing. “We are delighted to welcome such an esteemed coach to our team and are confident in his ability to enhance the Spartan men’s basketball program.”
Cresap is not new to the Spartans family.
As a student-athlete at M State, he played under the Spartan Hall of Fame coach Dave Retzlaff, breaking the Spartans career assist record.
Reflecting on his appointment, Cresap said,
“It is a great honor to return to my alma mater as head coach. I am fully committed to ensuring the success of this program, and for me, this is a dream come true. I am excited about building relationships with all the student athletes at M State.”
Cresap succeeds Ted Critchley, who left the position following a successful season with the Spartans.
M State expressed its gratitude to Critchley for his efforts and wished him well in his future endeavors.
M State, part of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, serves over 6,500 students across a variety of career and liberal arts programs both online and on-campus in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, and Wadena.
The college is also actively involved in community partnerships, providing workforce development services and training programs to 500 businesses and 9,000 participants.