By Belema Boyle
Raver Intern

The School of Mines may create more sports teams according to Dr. Richard Kaiser, the new Athletic Director.

Although specifics as to when these changes will become a reality are sketchy, Kaiser believes that adding sports such as baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer would boost enrollment and increase student diversity.

Kaiser also looks forward to the new facilities that are currently still under construction.

“I see us making additions to our facilities, which would include an indoor track and field arena complex,” said Kaiser, “So our teams can have a quality facility in work out in during the winter months.”

This may not be news to all students but to students such as Ivar Hellzén Melby and Matt Pike, this is the gospel.

“There is already a high interest in soccer,” said Melby, a civil engineering junior from Norway. “There is already a club who travels to play games with little funding and no scholarships. This will definitely attract more American and international students who already show interest in the sport”

“I would love to have an indoor facility with an indoor track, where the temperature stays constant regardless of the weather outside,” said Pike. “It will attract more students to the School Of Mines because practice on an actual track is more efficient than practice on a treadmill”

A native of Boulder, Colo., Kaiser earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Northern Colorado. He proceeded to pursue a master’s degree in educational administration from South Dakota State University and eventually, a doctorate of education in athletic leadership and administration from Brigham Young University. He did not stop there: rather, he got his post doctorate in health education and administration at Oregon State University.

Kaiser has devoted over 35 years to college athletics. He has served at different colleges such as Olivet College, Western Oregon University and Willamette University. His last ten years were spent as the Athletic Director for Defiance College.  Although he is an athletic director, he has coached college football for 17 years.

Kaiser was not ready to end his career at Defiance College. He chose the School of Mines because of its beautiful location and its quality of education. He describes the student body as “quality students that are driven, goal-orientated and [who] understand the purpose and meaning of their academic studies to further endeavors.”

He also hopes to stabilize athletic scholarships allotment, while assist the coaches in growing the size of their teams in order to help increase enrollment at the school. He also really excited about the experienced level of the coaching staff and their various fields of expertise.

Kaiser has been the athletic director since the first of July. He has two children, Cassie and Ryan.