When the Dakota State University Lady T's go to Jamestown, N.D., for a pair of games on Saturday and Sunday, Coach Jeff Dittman will be looking for his 251st and 252nd wins at DSU.
Dittman, in his 16th year as the Lady T's head coach. racked up his 250th win against Oglala Lakota on Sunday afternoon. His overall coaching record is 343-250. Besides coaching at DSU, Dittman served as the women's coach at Hastings College, and he recorded 10 wins as interim head men's coach at Sam Houston State.
"I have had some great players that helped me reach my 250th win here at DSU," said Dittman. "The players formed a team and they were stronger than individuals."
Dittman is the winningest coach at DSU. He enjoys working with players, developing players and recruiting players.
Dittman doesn't believe that his 250th win or even his 343 career wins is anything special.
"Getting to the 800 wins is something big by today's standards," he said.
Dittman thinks that being able to adapt to changes is essential for coaches.
"The athletes have changed since I first became involved in coaching," he said. "There is nothing like a four-hour practice anymore. When we lost in the past, we would have longer practices."
Other things have changed as well. "Basketball is not just a four-month season; it is a 12-month season," he said. "The technique has changed, coaching philosophies have changed and there are not the multi-sport athletes any more."
Dittman said that he had always wanted to be a coach. He enjoys the feeling of what coaching brings, even the ups and downs.
DSU will being playing Jamestown on Saturday at 5 p.m.
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