St. Thomas AD Steve Fritz announces retirement

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St. Thomas Athletics Director Steve Fritz, who coached men’s basketball for 31 years and led the school to a national championship in 2010-11, has announced he will retire in the spring of 2019.

Fritz began his 51-year association with St. Thomas in 1967 as a student-athlete, playing for the men’s basketball team.

St. Thomas athletic director Steve Fritz addresses the media at Target Field to promote the 2017 Tommie-Johnnie football game. Fritz announced Tuesday morning his plan to retire at the end of the 2018-19 academic year. (Carolyn Meyer/TommieMedia)

He took over as coach of men’s basketball in 1980. Throughout his tenure, the team had only one losing season and compiled a 594-246 record. He was named MIAC Coach of the Year 14 times.

Fritz became athletics director in 1992. He left his coaching position in 2011 to focus on his role as AD.

“Steve leaves a tremendous legacy at St. Thomas. He has been a mentor and friend to countless coaches, student-athletes and staff throughout the years,” President Julie Sullivan wrote in an email to the university community.

Fritz is a member of the St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame and was named 2011 National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Noah Brown can be reached at brow7736@stthomas.edu.