SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - 2019 National Champion and NFCA Hall of Fame coach Gretta Melsted will resign for the same title at the University of Minnesota. The national search for her replacement will begin immediately. 

"I want to thank the entire Augustana community, especially President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Vice President for Athletics Josh Morton, Luke Groth, Faculty Athletic Representative Marcia Entwistle, and all the faculty and staff that I have worked with," said Melsted. "It has been an amazing 20 years. This program and university mean so much more to me than anyone can imagine. I put my entire heart and soul into this place, the student-athletes and athletic department, since arriving on campus."

Under her guidance, Augustana became a powerhouse in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, capturing eight regular season conference titles, six NSIC tournament titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and four appearances in the DII National Championships. She finishes her Viking career with an overall record of 813-313. 

"I want to thank all the student-athletes and coworkers for an amazing journey," continued Melsted. "We have been able to accomplish great things. My goal is always to leave a place better than I found it. I hope I was able to do that. I look forward to watching the continued growth of such an amazing program and will be forever grateful to Augustana for taking a chance on an NAIA coach. I do not say goodbye easily, but with immense gratitude, appreciation and love for an incredibly special place."

"We are so grateful for the program that Coach Melsted has built at Augustana and that's why we are excited for the future," said Morton. "She has been so much more than a coach; she's been a leader, a mentor, a teacher and donor on our campus.  We wish her the best of luck."

Over the course of 20 seasons, she has coached a National Player of the Year, 26 All-Americans, three Region Players of the Year and two Region Pitchers of the Year. She has mentored 11 Academic All-Americans, 40 DII Scholar-Athletes, 19 Academic All-District honorees and 119 Academic All-NSIC honorees. Melsted has earned the Region Coach or Staff of the Year award five times while being named NSIC Coach of the Year six times. The Vikings have made the NCAA Tournament in eight of the last nine seasons.

Melsted earned a bachelor's degree in history at Carleton College and a master's in education administration from William Woods. She played both basketball and softball at Carleton and broke the school record for runs scored in a season with 36 in 1997. She was a two-time recipient of the Ele Hanson Award, one of two athletic honors presented annually to female student-athletes at Carleton.