Athletic Director Al Molde retires, leaves big shoes to fill

Athletic Director Al Molde, who has been the head of the athletics program at Gustavus for 15 years, will retire after this academic year. For the past 15 years Molde has supervised the athletics program, managed the coaches and personnel connected to the program and managed the athletic department’s budget as Athletic Director.

Molde graduated from Gustavus and married his wife, a fellow Gustie, in Christ Chapel. After a thirty-year career as a head football coach at six different institutions, he returned to Gustavus as the athletic director.

“The experience here was more than I could have ever imagined it would be when I came back. My frame of reference when I came back thirty years after graduating was my time as a student here,” Molde said.

“But I’ve learned that Gustavus is so much more than just a school. It is a school that is truly exceptional and there are a lot of exceptional people here – students, faculty and administrators. It has been a wonderful experience.”

During Molde’s time as Athletic Director, the athletics program has been successful in many areas. Gustavus has one of the most accomplished athletics programs in the MIAC and consistently stands out on the national level as well. In the MIAC, Gustavus has the highest national standing.

“At Gustavus it is easy to be proud. I’m very proud of the strength and the balance of our athletics program. We have won many championships. I’m very proud of our coaches – not only are they good coaches, but they are even better people,” Molde said.

“I’m also proud of our student-athletes. Not only are they talented on the ice or on the fields, but they stand out for their academic achievements as well. Our athletic history is one of great accomplishment.”

Assistant Athletics Director Tom Brown will take over the position of Athletic Director once Molde leaves. Brown has worked at Gustavus for twenty years as a coach, instructor and currently as an administrator.

“I’m really looking forward to working with more athletes and coaches and working to better the programs,” Brown said.

“My goal for Gustavus athletics is the same as the goal for all of Gustavus—to be excellent in everything. I want to have the best athletic programs in the MIAC and I want to help the coaches better their programs,” Brown said.

Brown has worked directly with Molde for three years and said that he will take what Molde has taught with him.

“I’ve learned everything from Al. People don’t realize all of the work that he does behind the scenes, but in everything he does, Al is a professional. He is a great administrator. And even after he has left, I know that I can always ask Al for guidance,” Brown said.

“The good thing about a change in leadership is that now [Brown] will have a chance to put his mark on the program. He will be able to put his own unique stamp on Gustavus athletics, and try to continue to build on the successes of the past and maintain the prestigious athletic program that we have here at Gustavus. My advice to Tom is to be a good communicator, listen well and be involved,” Molde said.

In his retirement, Molde is looking forward to traveling and being able to spend more time with his eight grandchildren.

“What I will cherish most about Gustavus is the relationships I’ve formed with the people here. I’ve never been anywhere in my coaching career that is a more friendly environment than Gustavus is. I’ve found it a very rewarding place to work. I’ve made a lot of friends here and I will continue to cherish their friendship,” Molde said.

Brown shared a similar sentiment. “I’m really proud to be a Gustie. Everyday I feel blessed; this doesn’t feel like work.”

For Molde, Gustavus has been more than just a place to work. It was where he went to school, where he met his wife, where he married and thirty years later where he returned.

“We’ve really come full circle now. It’s been great. This has been a wonderful place to work,” Molde said.