RAPID CITY – South Dakota Mines women’s basketball assistant coach Lori Coble will be stepping down from the Lady Hardrocker coaching staff after 28 years with the program. Coble, who is also a professor on campus, will be taking a more full-time position in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department starting in the fall of 2011.

Coble, under the direction of Lady Hardrocker head coach Barb Felderman (30 years), has helped guide the Lady Hardrockers to 12 conference championships, nine NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament appearances, five NAIA Sweet 16 appearances and two NAIA Final Four showings.

“I’ve contributed a lot over the years, but I’ve received so much more back,” Coble said. “My life has been so blessed and there have been so many great people that I have come in contact with. I have had so many great experiences and so many laughs --- it kind of keeps you young I guess.”

Coble has been a valuable member of the Lady ‘Rocker coaching staff and her dedication to the teams and helpful coaching insights have been a big part of SD Mines’ success over the years.

“Lori is every bit as much a coach as I am,” Felderman said. “A lot of the times I get the glory, but she is very good with the strategies (of the game). She enjoys that part. She has a love for the game and the kids."

Coble was raised in Vivian and went to Lyman County High School in Presho. She attended college at Dakota State University in Madison and was a standout player for the Lady T’s. Coble earned all-conference honors during the 1979-80 season and still holds a few steals and assists records.

Coincidentally, Coble's final collegiate game was at SD Mines, though her team was defeated by the Hardrockers for the conference championship. To top off her playing career, Coble was inducted into the Dakota State Hall of Fame in 2003.

After college, Coble spent a year coaching at the high school level in Plankinton before joining the Lady Hardrocker coaching staff. After several years in Rapid City as an assistant, Coble left to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota.

"We thought she was done assisting when she left and by chance she got the city rec. job when she came back," Felderman said.

Almost 30 years later, both Felderman and Coble have been able to work with one another very well despite having different styles and approaches to the game of basketball.

Coble took on teaching duties several years ago, working part time as the Lady Hardrockers’ assistant and part time teaching anatomy and physiology. Even though academics is the main focus for Coble now, athletics will still be a priority as well --- just in a different capacity.

“I am really glad I am still going to be a part of this school and I will still be able to be around the fantastic young people,” Coble said. “I’m not going to be a stranger to the Hardrockers, because I still plan to support all SD Mines sports.”

Courtesy of Brad Blume (Sports Information Directory at SDSM&T)