From SJU/MIAC release:

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University athletic director Bob Alpers '82 announced his retirement, effective June 30, on Wednesday, April 9.An interim athletic director will be named soon."After 43 years, I've finally graduated," Alpers said. "Since I arrived in Collegeville as a student in the fall of 1978, SJU has been my home. It has been my honor to work with our unbelievable student-athletes, both as a coach and as an administrator. I would like to thank the monks, colleagues, alumni and coaches who have supported me and our work at SJU."Alpers became the sixth person to hold the title of SJU's athletic director since 1931 in July 2016. Under Alpers' leadership, the Johnnies captured 19 MIAC regular-season championships, five MIAC playoff titles and 20 NCAA postseason appearances. SJU has won the MIAC's George Durenberger All-Sports Trophy each of the past three academic years.Alpers, in coordination with SJU's Institutional Advancement, created the Go Johnnies Challenge – an annual 24-hour, online-giving campaign – that has raised $1.5 million for SJU athletics over the past six years. Alpers also started the on-campus, meal-packing event for Kids Fighting Hunger in 2016, just months before taking over as athletic director. The event, which takes place each year during Lent, has produced over 600,000 meals. The 2025 event is scheduled for this Sunday, April 13, in Collegeville's Guild Hall (Old Gym).He oversaw the improvement of numerous athletic facilities on campus, including branding and the addition of video boards. Alpers helped the Saint John's J-Club create the Hall of Honor in 2018 and administered the installation of the organization's physical space in the Warner Palaestra. Alpers established Athlete-to-Athlete program for SJU's student-athletes; signed the Johnnies' first department-wide apparel contract with Adidas and Game One; started SJU's name, image and likeness (NIL) efforts; and oversaw numerous staff hires and successfully advocated for growth in the department. "Bob is a true Johnnie," College of Saint Benedict and SJU President Brian Bruess, Ph.D. said. "For decades he has worked tirelessly so Johnnie athletics can produce notable academic outcomes, principled men and championship experiences for each scholar-athlete."The 2007 Eaton Golf Pride National Coach of the Year and a 2010 inductee into the Golf Coaches' Association of America (GCAA) Hall of Fame, Alpers coached the SJU golf team for 29 seasons and guided the Johnnies to 13 MIAC titles and 20 NCAA appearances, including back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008. SJU finished in the top 10 at the national tournament 12 times (16 times in the top 15) and his program produced 34 All-Americans and 49 GCAA Scholar All-Americans during his tenure as head coach.

"A lot has changed over the last couple of years and the job became more difficult," Alpers added. "This spring, I spent some time with my wife in Florida and I started to realize that it's time. I've never been very good at golf, but it's time I play a little more."Working in athletics isn't easy on families, as the job demands a lot of nights and weekends. I'd like to thank my wife and son for their love, support and patience with me."A six-time GCAA Central Region Coach of the Year and a 14-time MIAC Coach of the Year, Alpers has also served as SJU's recreation director from 1989 to 2020. He served as an assistant coach for the Saint John's basketball team for 20 seasons and was also an assistant coach for baseball and soccer at the beginning of his tenure in the department.SJU's indoor golf center – two simulator bays, a chipping green and putting green – is named in his honor.A standout collegiate athlete, Alpers was selected as the Johnnies' Most Valuable Player and was named All-MIAC as a senior during the 1981-82 basketball season.

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