Ferris State Golf Coach Mike Mignano Departing For New Career Opportunity

Big Rapids, Mich. - After nine years leading the Ferris State University men's and women's golf programs to continued championship success, head coach Mike Mignano announced his resignation today (May 13).

Mignano, who most recently guided the Bulldog men's squad to its 14th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance during the 2015-16 campaign, has accepted a new position as program director for The First Tee of Northern Michigan, which is an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people.

A 2006 graduate of Ferris State's Professional Golf Management (PGM) program, Mignano began his collegiate coaching career as a Bulldog assistant coach before taking over as the programs' head coach in 2008.

A search for a new head coach will begin soon with Mignano's last day on campus set for May 20. Assistant coach Lauren Smith will oversee both programs in an interim capacity during the transition period.

"We're sorry to see Mike leave as he has done a tremendous job leading our golf programs," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "We appreciate the commitment and dedication he gave to our teams and he leaves a great foundation behind. We wish him the best of luck in his new opportunity."

During Mignano's tenure at the Bulldog helm, Ferris State continued a longstanding history of success. Under his direction, the Bulldog men's squad claimed a seventh-place showing at the 2010 NCAA Division II Championships, which was a school-record finish. Meanwhile, the women's squad posted a national fourth-place finish at the 2008 NCAA-II Championships under his watch.

On the men's side, Mignano led the Bulldogs to nine-straight NCAA postseason appearances from 2008-16 and 23 student-athletes received All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) accolades with nine garnering Division II PING All-Midwest Region recognition and three chosen as All-Americans. His 2010 team captured the GLIAC Championship while his 2009 team posted an eighth-place finish at the national championships.

In Mignano's tenure, the Bulldog women notched back-to-back top six national finishes in 2008 and 2009 with fourth and sixth-place performances, respectively. The Bulldogs also placed fourth overall at the 2014 NCAA East Regional and notched seven consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances from 2008-14. A total of 32 student-athletes have garnered All-GLIAC Women's Golf recognition in his time at the helm with three also chosen as All-Americans.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been given at Ferris State University and will always cherish the relationships I have built," Mignano said. "Everything I have in my life is due in large part to Ferris State and I will truly miss all the great friends I have made."

Along with the success on the course, Mignano's teams have also performed exceedingly well in the classroom. The FSU men's squad was recognized as the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Academic National Champions in 2014 and 13 different men's players along with 19 women's standouts have attained Division II Golf All-America Scholar Athlete Awards. The Bulldog men's team has been honored the last four years with GCAA Team Academic Award recognition as one of the nation's top performers in the classroom.

Overall, the Bulldog men's and women's teams have combined to win 24 tournaments under Mignano and 20 student-athletes have won individual medalist honors in tournament action. He also coached the 2009 men's NCAA Division II National Runner-Up in Kelbi Lee and a pair of GLIAC Players of the Year in Eric Lilleboe and Ben Cook. Mignano was both the GLIAC Men's Golf Coach of the year in 2011 and also named the NCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2010.

In addition to receiving his bachelor's degree from FSU, Mignano also earned a master's degree in management tools from Ferris State in 2010. Along with his coaching duties, he also served as co-director of the Ferris State Golf Camps and has been active working with the Special Olympics of Michigan as a certified coach, including serving as the "Team Michigan" coach at the 2014 USA Games.

This past season, both the Bulldog men's and women's golf teams finished in the top five at their respective GLIAC Championship events with the men's squad going on to place 12th overall at the 2016 NCAA Division II Super Regional Championships.