Athletics
Alan Dykens named head football coach at CMU Heart of America Athletic Conference coach Alan R. Dykens of Lamoni, Iowa, has been appointed as the new head football coach at Central Methodist University, reports Kenneth Oliver, CMU vice president for campus life and athletic director. “I am extremely pleased that Dr. Dykens is joining us as the new head coach of our football program,” Oliver says. “He comes to us from Graceland University, where he was the assistant head coach for the “Yellowjackets” and a member of the coaching staff that took a 0-10 team to a conference championship in just three years.” Oliver also noted that during Dykens’ tenure at Graceland the football program made an appearance in the NAIA Wheat Bowl and had a winning season each of the five seasons. Dykens has also coached at Missouri Southern State University, Arkansas State University and Munford High School (during his tenure they were the 5A state runner-up team in 1997). He was twice honored
with the Golden Whistle Award for being the top recruiter at Missouri Southern. “Throughout Alan’s coaching career,” Oliver adds, “he has been responsible for multiple phases of the game at one time or another, including serving as defensive coordinator
and special teams coach. He brings valuable coaching experience to CMU.” Dykens graduated from high school in Carl Junction, Mo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Graceland University, where he also lettered in football and baseball and was recognized as an All-Conference athlete and as an All-Conference Academic athlete. He holds a master’s degree in education from Arkansas State University and a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dykens and his wife, Amy, who also graduated from Graceland University, have two children, Dixie and Bode.
Schmidlin named head coach of the Eagles soccer programs Dan Schmidlin has been named head coach of the Eagle Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs at Central Methodist University, reports Kenneth Oliver, vice president for campus life and athletic director. Schmidlin was promoted after spending the 2007 season as the assistant soccer coach. Entering his fist season at the helm of the Eagle Soccer programs, he is currently working with both the men’s and women’s programs, including their day-to-day player development and off-season strength and conditioning programs. Schmidlin’s additional responsibilities include preparing daily practices while coordinating the recruiting efforts for both teams. A native of Springboro, Ohio, Schmidlin is a 2000 graduate of Springboro High School. He played soccer at Muskingum College, where he was a four-year letter winner as a 52
Summer 2008
defender and mid-fielder. In 2004 he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Business. After graduation, Schmidlin played for Dayton’s amateur soccer team. His coaching career includes a three-year stint as the assistant coach
at Springboro High School in Ohio. He was active in the club scene, having coached teams in Dayton, Ohio, that included girls’ U15, U17 and U19 teams. He helped develop two NCAA D-I soccer players, two collegiate All-Americans and several others who continued their careers at the NAIA and NCAA D-III levels. Schmidlin is active in the Olympic Development Programs (ODP) in Ohio and Missouri. He coached the Ohio South State ’92 boys’ team, Missouri State ’96 girls’ team and has worked with the ODP district teams in both Ohio and Missouri. Currently he still trains teams that include the U11 and U12 teams in Dayton, Ohio, and the U13 Girls team in Columbia, Mo., the Columbia Cougars. Schmidlin resides in Fayette, Mo., where he is currently working toward his master’s degree in education from Central Methodist University.
The Magazine of Central Methodist University
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