One of the pillars of South Dakota State University is set to retire this summer.
Kathy Heylens, senior associate athletic director, has spent nearly 40 years in SDSU’s athletics department, dedicating her career to enhancing the lives of student-athletes. Serving as the department’s chief compliance officer, Heylens has worked closely with student-athletes, helping them achieve their goals and navigate the challenges of intercollegiate athletics.
“I love my job. I love coming to work each day, but I especially love working with student-athletes,” Heylens said. “It’s the thing I know I will miss the most about this job.”
Heylens, a Watertown native, got her start in higher education at Black Hills State University before finding her way to Brookings. After two years in the SDSU Admissions Office, she spied an interesting opportunity on the other side of campus.
“One day, I was working in admissions, and I saw a job open up in the athletics department,” Heylens said. “I thought it would be a fun job because I knew a lot of the coaches from setting up campus visits for prospective students. I applied and got the job.”
This was Heylens’ first time being involved in sports. In high school, she participated in fine arts activities, and while attending SDSU, she was a member of The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band. With no formal experience, there was a bit of a learning curve to the new job.
“Nancy Neiber ’83 (M.S.) (former women’s basketball coach and senior athletics administrator) walked over to me on one of my very first days and dropped a big stack of papers on my desk,” Heylens said.
The papers had ”National Letter of Intent” spewed across the top with acronyms like ”NCAA” and ”NCC” all over the page.
“I had no idea what they meant,” Heylens said. “I asked Nancy, ‘What does NCAA stand for?’ I had a lot to learn.”
A self-learner, Heylens quickly familiarized herself with the rules and regulations of the NCAA, eventually working her way into the role of compliance coordinator—the chief NCAA rules official for the athletics department.
“I love to learn,” Heylens said. “It’s one of the things I’ve enjoyed—and will miss—about this job.”
The transition
The single most important event in the athletics department’s history occurred during Heylens’ tenure. It was summer 2003, and SDSU was set to make a seismic announcement: It would move from Division II to Division I athletics. The move, which at the time was controversial, set in motion years of unprecedented success and growth for the university.
“The transition was a huge moment,” Heylens said. “From a compliance standpoint, the change required a lot of adjustments.”
Heylens, as compliance coordinator, was responsible for learning a new set of rules and ensuring that every student-athlete would be eligible at the Division I level—no small task. She still has the folders and folders of transition-related papers in her office.
“The transition was the best thing we ever did,” Heylens said. “I don’t think anyone could have imagined just how well it worked out.”
Sixteen years after SDSU made the jump, the women’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Heylens, who was the women’s basketball sports supervisor for the majority of her career, remembers this as a huge moment, both for women’s athletics at SDSU and as a highlight of her career.
“It’s just an incredible run the basketball program has had,” Heylens said. “Personally, it was a big moment, too.”
Legacy
The transition to retirement isn’t always easy. Retirees are often peppered with questions about what’s next. For Heylens, that’s somewhat undecided, but she does have some ideas.
“I love people and I love working with people,” Heylens said. “Everybody has said to take it easy for the time being and don’t commit to too many things.”
That might be a challenge for Heylens, who has continuously volunteered her time as a board member for the Brookings County Food Pantry and her church. Her grandchildren, who live in the area, will surely keep her busy.
As for SDSU and the athletics department, Heylens’ absence will be felt by all.
“Kathy Heylens is a difference maker for SDSU Athletics and for SDSU as an institution,” said John Stiegelmeier ’79, former head football coach and a longtime colleague of Heylens. “She was always available to educate, mentor or just be a sounding board for our student-athletes. As a colleague, the energy she has and positive outlook she chose will be missed.”
“Kathy embodies what being a Jackrabbit is all about and is a great representative of our university. She will be remembered for all that she has accomplished,” said Tammy Loban, assistant athletic director-administration. “We will miss her smile, laughter and the positive attitude she brought to the workplace each day. But I’m excited for her to spend more time with her family and grandchildren.”
Addison DeHaven
