Andy Bernatow honored as the 2024-2025 Hauff Mid-America Sports/Great Plains Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year

Recently, Andy Bernatow ‘99 was honored as the 2024-2025 Hauff Mid-America Sports/Great Plains
Athletic Conference (GPAC) Athletic Director of the Year, showcasing his dedication to his students, staff
and Mount Marty University.

Bernatow has been part of the Mount Marty family since 1995, when he arrived on campus to pursue his bachelor's degree in health, physical education, and recreation, as well as secondary education. During this time, Bernatow played baseball for the Lancers and had a work-study position in the athletic department. "When I was growing up, I had really amazing high school baseball coaches," said Bernatow. "... I wanted to be them. I still adore them to this day. When I got to college, my thoughts changed, and I desired to be a college baseball coach. As time moved on, I specifically wanted to be the coach for Mount Marty." Bernatow said former baseball coach Bob Tereshinski had a significant impact on his life.

Following graduation, Bernatow accepted a job at the Gayville-Volin school district, where he served as a teacher, coach and activities director. During this time, Bernatow remained part of the Mount Marty community, assisting with baseball clinics. In 2004, Bernatow officially returned to Mount Marty as head baseball coach and coached for 18 seasons. In 2006, Bernatow added the title and responsibilities of sports information director to his resume. Most recently, in 2021, he became Mount Marty's athletic director. "Every day is a new adventure with so many different variables, and no day is the same," said Bernatow. He is grateful for the team of staff he has the opportunity to work with each day. "I feel this honor is just as much a reflection of the job that they do for Mount Marty and the department. They are a blessing."

Cindy Sohler, administrative assistant and senior woman leader, who has worked with Bernatow for over 20 years, said, "What makes him a great athletic director? His attitude of 'we're in this together.' He would never ask anything of anybody that he wouldn't do himself. He sets such a good example of a servant leader to our coaches and staff. We have all learned from Andy in some sort of way — intentional or not.  I know I want to be better because of him."

Jason Nelson ‘00, assistant athletic director, has known Bernatow for many years, as they have been friends and teammates at Mount Marty since 1996 and have had numerous opportunities to coach together over the years. "He makes an impact on most students and athletes he comes in contact with," said Nelson. "He always makes people feel welcome and a part of something. What makes him a good leader is that he is always prepared and thorough. Our athletic department's GPAs are all over 3.0, and that is a product of his philosophy as an athletic director and a coach. The hospitality he provides to students, staff, other teams, officials, etc., is one of a kind. He always wants to lead by example, make sure things are done right, and that people are treated with respect."

"After 30 years of being involved with Mount Marty, I am full of memories and stories that I hold dear to my heart," said Bernatow. "Obviously, being a part of championships as a player, coach and administrator has been very enjoyable." But for Bernatow, one of the most meaningful traditions has become the holiday meals provided to students who remain on campus during school breaks. He fondly recalled how the tradition began during his time as head baseball coach. Initially, he invited a few baseball players who couldn't travel home for Thanksgiving to his own home for a holiday meal. Over time, more teams joined, and on one particularly stormy night, some students asked if they could bring friends who were also staying on campus. That spirit of inclusion became the foundation for what is now a campus-wide effort. For the past seven years, Mount Marty’s annual Thanksgiving meal has been hosted on campus, serving between 75 and 115 students each year. What started as a single gathering has grown substantially. In the past year alone, Bernatow and his department — alongside Mount Marty faculty, staff and members of the Yankton community — provided more than 4,500 meals to students over Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and spring breaks, as well as after food service ends for the summer for those students who still remain on campus. “The offering of the meal and the fellowship during it is a great example of the core values of Mount Marty,” Bernatow said.

Bernatow also expressed his appreciation for the recent facility enhancements and upgrades. During his tenure as athletic director, he and the athletic administrative team have led the creation of a new indoor hitting room, athletics meeting room and an upgraded streaming system in the First Dakota Ruth Donohoe Fieldhouse, which allows for better showcasing of indoor track events. The department has partnered with several community organizations to advance the Lancer viewing and playing experience, including collaborating with the City of Yankton and the Yankton Baseball Association to enhance the baseball field and working with the Yankton School District to install a new video board and scoreboard at Crane Youngworth Field. Bernatow played a key role alongside campus partners in the installation of new flooring and a new videoboard in Cimpl Arena, while also contributing to enhancements made to the Mount Marty Athletic Hall of Fame located in the same space. “Projects like the baseball field and the videoboards are ones I’m very proud of,” said Bernatow.

Bernatow mentioned he truly knows he has made an impact on a fellow Lancer's life when they depart after graduation but still reach out. "You get a phone call, text message or an email from a former athlete in which they are grateful for the time they had at Mount Marty. I have been fortunate to work with some awesome student-athletes in my time at Mount Marty and have some really great memories and relationships that I cherish."

Bernatow noted that the GPAC Athletic Director of the Year honor represents the efforts of the entire athletic department and the supportive community around it. “I'm incredibly honored and humbled to receive the GPAC Athletic Director of the Year Award. This recognition is not simply a reflection of me, but a testament to the amazing people I'm fortunate to work alongside every day.” He expressed deep gratitude for the support and love of his family, the hard work of his coaches and staff, and specifically highlighted the contributions of Nelson and Sohler as key reasons behind Mount Marty’s recent success. Bernatow also emphasized the importance of longstanding partnerships and collaboration within the community — especially noting the strong and growing relationship with the Yankton School District as a vital part of the athletic department’s ability to thrive. “I'm proud to work with such a great community and honored to call Yankton home. This award means a great deal — but more than anything, it belongs to those who share this journey with me. Thank you.”

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ABOUT MOUNT MARTY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1936 by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.