Michael Nekuda enters his first season as the head cross country and assistant track and field coach at Dickinson State. Along with his coaching duties, Nekuda will also be titled as the assistant sports information director. Nekuda, a native of Hot Springs, SD and a graduate of Black Hills State University, says he is extremely excited about this opportunity. "I feel very fortunate to join such a great athletic department and to work with coaches and administrators that want to be successful," stated Nekuda.

Before arriving in Dickinson, Nekuda led the Dakota State University distance runners to new heights in his first season as the head cross country and track coach. Under his watch, the Trojan's captured six new school records, twelve all-conference performances, and were the Men's Runner-Up Dakota Athletic Conference Champions in cross country. He also led middle-distance runner, Andy Coy, to a Runner-Up National Championship in the 1,000 meter run, missing the state record by just six one-hundredths of a second. Prior being the head coach at Dakota State, Nekuda served there as an assistant, where he helped build the Trojans first and only conference championship team in 2009.

As a student-athlete, Nekuda was part of one of the most successful men's cross country teams at Black Hills State University. He was a key component of the 2007 Black Hills men's team that set the DAC conference record for lowest points scored (19) and then later went on to become the NAIA Runner-Up National Champions.

Nekuda recently finished his graduate work from Adams State College (CO) with a degree in Human Performance and Physical Education. He currently resides in Dickinson with his wife, Kerry, and dog, Mya.