Jim Thorson
Head Men's Basketball Coach
14th Year
605/668.1501
jthorson@mtmc.edu

Family: Susan (Wife), Kari and Kristen (Daughter)
Hometown: Willow Lake, South Dakota

Education:
M.S., South Dakota State University, Physical Education
B.S., South Dakota State University, Zoology

Professional Experience:
1969-1970 Sisseton Public Schools, Middle School Science, Jr. High Coach
1970-1975 Gettysburg Public Schools, Middle School Science, Head Boys Basketball
1975-1976 South Dakota State University, Graduate Assistant Men’s Basketball
1976-1977 Webster Public Schools, Physical Education, Head Boys Coach
1977-1979 South Dakota State University, Assistant Men’s Coach
1979-1984 Yankton College, Athletic Director, Head Men’s Basketball
1985-1993 South Dakota State University, Head Men’s Basketball
1993-1995 Private Business
1995-2009 Mount Marty College, Head Men’s Basketball

College Career Record – 429 – 398 (27 yrs.)
Mount Marty College Record – 217 – 206 (14 yrs.)

About Coach Thorson
Coach Thorson begins his 15th year as the head coach of the Lancers and 29th year of coaching at the collegiate level.  He also teaches wellness/fitness and coaching preparation classes in the Department of Physical Education and serves as Lancer Club Coordinator with responsibilities for coordinating fund raising in the athletic department.

Coach Thorson’s coaching record includes 2 South Dakota State ‘B’ Tournament appearances winning a State Championship in 1977.  His college teams have participated in 3 NCAA Division II post season tournaments advancing to the Elite 8 in 1992 and two NAIA Division II Tournaments finishing in the Final 4 in 1998.  He has been named Coach of the Year on 11 occasions at the State, Conference, and National levels. In his 14 years as head coach, the Lancer program has produced 38 All-Conference players, 3 Conference MVP’s, 2 Conference Defensive Players of the Year, 1 Freshman of the year, 10 All Americans and 37 NAIA All-America Scholar Athletes along with 8 tournament and conference championships and national rankings as high as 7th.   Teaching the game to be played the right way and an emphasis on fundamentals are the back bone of coach Thorson’s philosophy and along with outstanding student-athletes are the reason for any success.

Lance Friesen
Assistant Coach

Personal Information
Hometown: Freeman, SD
Parents: Steve and Charlene Friesen

Education
High School-Freeman High School
College-Hesston College-2002
Associate of Arts Degree

Dakota Wesleyan University-2005
BA Secondary Education/History

University of South Dakota
Pursuing MA in Physical Education

Professional Experience
2009- Mount Marty College
Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

2005-2009-Freeman Academy
7-12 Social Science and 5-8 Physical Education Instructor
Head Boy’s Basketball and Track Coach

2003-2005-Corsica High School
Head Boy’s Basketball Coach

2002-2003-Beresford High School
Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach

2003-Present-South Dakota Heat Summer Basketball Program
Coach and operator

2001-2002-Hesston College
Intramural Director