APPLETON, Wis. -- Joel DePagter is now officially the head men's basketball coach at Lawrence University.
Director of Athletics Robert Beeman announced Monday that the interim tag was being removed from DePagter's coaching title.
"I believe JoJo has the full support of our basketball team. And, while he and I have worked together with an understanding of where this was heading, I feel it is the right time to publically show our commitment to him as our full-time basketball coach by removing the interim designation," Beeman said. "I see no reason to hold off until the end of the year to make this commitment to JoJo. From my vantage point, he has done an outstanding job working with our team, both during practice and games, and I fully expect that his energy and commitment to excellence will continue."
DePagter, a 1998 Lawrence graduate, was named interim head coach in April after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant coach for the Vikings.
"This is a historic day for me. It has been my goal since coming back four-plus years ago to Lawrence to one day be the leader of this program at my alma mater," DePagter said. "My thanks go out to Bob Beeman and Lawrence University for giving me this opportunity. It has never been about titles, and never will be, but it is a good feeling knowing it is official now. Of course, having the interim tag removed brings great peace of mind for me."
A native of Sheboygan, Wis., DePagter was a star player for the Vikings in the 1990s. A three-time first-team All-Midwest Conference selection, DePagter was the 1997 MWC Player of the Year. As a player, DePagter's teams compiled a 42-19 record and won the 1997 MWC title. In his five seasons as an assistant at Lawrence, the Vikings have won three MWC championships, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Tournament, and posted a 97-33 record.
"I am honored that Bob has chosen me to continue to lead this group of guys that I have been involved with for the past several seasons," DePagter said. "There are high expectations for this team and this program, on and off the playing floor, and it is my job to make sure that continues."
Lawrence has a 4-0 record this season and returns to action on Saturday when it travels to perennial power UW-Stevens Point for a nonconference game.