Dawson Community College alum Ryan Vander Pluym is the newest addition to the Buccaneer Athletic Department. Vander Pluym attended Dawson from 1994-1996 and excelled in the classroom and in the rodeo arena. He went on to compete for the University of Montana-Western in Dillon where his team won the Regional Championship in both of his years there. His coaching experience includes being the head coach at Pratt Community College in Kansas, where he led the program from 2011-2015 and produced multiple CNFR qualifiers as well as doubling the roster size in his second season. Vander Pluym is a card-holding member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for Steer Wrestling.
Dawson’s new coach will be moving from Knoxville, Tennessee where he works as a ranch manager. Vander Pluym’s experience at DCC had a profound impact on his life because he learned how to be a student and gained success in the arena. He feels like it is his responsibility to give others the same opportunity and support he received at Dawson. According to Vander Pluym, “I am beyond excited to return to DCC as the Head Rodeo Coach. Dawson Community College holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to get started in helping enrich students’ lives both in the arena and in the classroom.”
Athletic Director Joe Peterson praised the new coach, “Ryan’s skills and experience were very good, but his heart for Dawson and for giving back will make a big impact at the college and in the community. He is driven to bring in quality student-athletes and help them excel in rodeo, in academics, and in life. Our rodeo program is in good hands!”
Darla Handran, Vice Chair of the DCC Board of Trustees, commented, “I have known Ryan for over 20 years. He will be a good fit for Dawson and do great things for our College."
President Scott R. Mickelsen added, “I am excited to welcome Ryan to Dawson Community College. He is a hard worker and will do great things for our program. I visited with several people who have worked with him in the past and they commented that he is one of the best coaches they have seen, the students loved him and he is a great recruiter." Mickelsen continued, "we are excited to be able to attract this level of talent!"