April 27, 2007
Release courtesy of Tim Calderwood, Loras College sports information director

DUBUQUE, IOWA . . . Loras College President Jim Collins today announced the appointment of Greg Gorton, of Dubuque, as head men’s basketball coach. Gorton replaces Chad Walthall who just resigned to become an assistant basketball coach at the University of Iowa. Gorton will begin his new duties immediately.

In selecting Gorton, Collins tapped strong professional experience and an opportunity to ensure program continuity. Gorton has been serving as associate head men’s basketball coach for the Duhawks since 2003. In that capacity, he has led the team’s recruiting efforts and served as both the team’s offensive and defensive coordinator in different years. In addition to his basketball duties, Greg was the athletic division’s academic liaison, serving over 550 campus student athletes. He will continue to have this role, as well.

Beyond his Loras experience, Gorton also brings to this new role a coaching background that includes having been associate head men’s basketball coach at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis from 1997 to 2003, having served as defensive coordinator and assistant basketball coach at Irondale High School from 1993 to 1995, and having held the position of assistant basketball coach from 1991 until 1993 at the University of St. Thomas. Greg also founded Datacom Consulting Corporation in 1998, which grew into the 8th largest computer consulting company in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He sold the corporation in 2003. Gorton holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of St. Thomas.

In selecting Gorton for the top men’s basketball post, President Collins anticipates a smooth transition on the heels of what has been the most successful Duhawk season since rejoining the Iowa Conference in 1986. The team won the tough Iowa Conference and went on to capture the conference tournament crown as well. The Duhawks played in their first NCAA tourney since joining Division III.

In making the announcement, Collins said, “I have full confidence in Greg’s abilities. In my position, I have to make a lot of difficult decisions. Arguably, this is one of the easiest ones I have made since being named president three years ago. Greg has already held an important role in getting the team to where it is now – champions on the basketball court – and achieving in the classroom with a combined GPA of 3.30. I know he will build upon these successes. Not only is Greg a seasoned and capable coach, he’s a good Christian, a strong family man and a fine role model for our students.”

In accepting his new position, Greg Gorton commented, “I am excited and energized by being named the head men’s basketball coach at Loras College. It’s pretty rare in this profession to be promoted to a head coaching position and coach the same terrific student-athletes I helped target and recruit for the last four years. I plan to continue to build and enhance the success the program has achieved through the leadership of Chad Walthall. I’m also honored and delighted to lead this program at a school which places such high emphasis on the value of both the academic and athletic experience. I thank the administrative team, especially Jim Collins, for placing their confidence in me and I plan to carry on the storied history of Loras College basketball.”

Gorton will have the honor of not only heading the team next season, but also helping to christen the college’s new athletic and wellness center, slated to open next November, which will house the new basketball arena.

Greg and his wife, Kris, have two daughters, Kate (6) and Isabelle (3). They are expecting their third child in August.

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