Former Buc Returning to Basketball Program as an Assistant
August 19, 2024
Former Dawson Buccaneer, Beau Santistevan, is returning to his alma mater as an assistant basketball coach for the 2024-2025 year. Santistevan is originally from Bigfork, MT and helped Bigfork High School go undefeated and capture the 2018 Class B State Championship. Santistevan was named the State Tournament MVP.
Santistevan played for the Bucs from 2018-2020 and was an all-conference player during the 2019-2020 season when he helped lead the Buccaneers to an undefeated conference season, going 19-0 against Mon-Dak teams. In that historic season, Santistevan and the Bucs captured Coach Joe Peterson's first conference championship and region championship. Santistevan was among the top players in the league in field goal percentage. The 6'7 forward shot 53.6% and averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg.
"I am elated to have Beau back at Dawson and a part of our program," shared Dawson Head Coach Joe Peterson. "Beau has extremely high character, always works hard and understands the game so well. He is wise beyond his years. Having played for me, he knows our program, the culture we are trying to build and will be able to hit the ground running very quickly."
After his two years at Dawson, Santistevan played the next three seasons at Rocky Mountain College. In his senior year, he averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field, 44% from 3-point range and 73% from the free throw line. He was named Rocky Men's Basketball's Champion of Character. The Champions of Character award is given to a student athlete who best exemplifies the NAIA's core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
After finishing at Rocky, Santistevan played professionally in Germany briefly before returning to Billings to help coach at Rocky during the 2023-2024 season.
Santistevan will be replacing former assistant coach, Eric Holbrook, who took the reins as the head coach at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon.
Santistevan will be working alongside current assistant coach Zach Tunnell, who is beginning his third year on staff with Dawson.
Beau and his wife Katie will be moving to Glendive in time to start the new school year this week.
Santistevan commented, "I am super excited to be coming back to DCC. This community, Coach Peterson, and the college taught me so much and were foundational in who I am today. I am excited to bring my knowledge of basketball, academics, and life back to these student athletes. Dawson runs a great program and I am excited to add to it the best I can."