Mel Tjeerdsma, part of six NCAA football titles at Northwest Missouri, to retire

Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri State’s athletic director since 2013, announced his retirement, effective April 30.

During Tjeerdsma’s tenure as AD, Northwest won four NCAA championships. In 2016-17, the Bearcats became the first NCAA Division II program to win the football and men’s basketball titles in the same school year.

Tjeerdsma has spearheaded several facility upgrades, including the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse, which is set to open in the fall.

Before becoming athletic director, Tjeerdsma spent 17 years as Northwest’s football coach and won three NCAA titles.

In January, Tjeerdsma was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, and will be inducted in December.

This story was originally published February 28, 2018 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Mel Tjeerdsma, part of six NCAA football titles at Northwest Missouri, to retire."