St. Olaf athletic director Ryan Bowles died on Wednesday from cancer at age 45.
“Ryan was a cherished friend and valued member of our senior leadership team who led with passion for athletics and a St. Olaf education,” St. Olaf President Susan Rundell Singer said in a statement. “He cared deeply about the holistic student experience, celebrating academic achievements and student leadership. We mourn the loss of his wisdom, enthusiasm, and insights.
In Bowles’ nine years, Oles teams won 15 MIAC championships and appeared in 41 NCAA championships, highlighted by the men’s soccer team winning the Division III national title in December. The women’s Nordic skiing team also won four U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association team national championships.
Said Kelly Mahlum, Oles deputy AD and senior woman administrator: “Ryan’s love for his family was first and foremost. The passion he had for sports was shared by his family and was evident in their daily lives, and I witnessed his love for our Oles on a daily basis. Much of what an athletic director does is behind the scenes of the practices, game days, and celebrations. I do not believe Ryan ever saw it as work — he felt it as a calling and a purpose. We will continue to honor Ryan’s imprint on Ole athletics and share our support to uplift Ryan’s wife, Sarah, and his son, Tom.”
A Maryland native, Bowles was named AD in July 2015 after serving as an associate athletic director at Maryland. He was a four-year letterwinner in men’s soccer at McDaniel College, a D-III program in Westminster. Md. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McDaniel.
JOEL RIPPEL
PWHL Minnesota signings
PWHL Minnesota announced the re-signing of three players from its Walter Cup championship team. Forwards Michela Cava, Denisa Křížová and Liz Schepers agreed to one-year contract extensions, with Cava — who tied for the team lead with eight points (five goals, three assists) during the postseason — and Schepers signed for 2024-25 and Křížová committed through 2025-26 after her initial two-year deal.
In addition, the team announced it had signed its second- and third-round draft picks, forwards Britta Curl of Wisconsin and Klára Hymlárová of St. Cloud State.
