NORTHFIELD, Minn. - After 11 years leading the St. Olaf College women's golf program, Katie Luckraft has stepped down and assistant coach Brian Stevens has been promoted to head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season, as announced on Friday by Interim Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Kelly Mahlum.
 
"I would like to thank Katie for all of her time and energy that she put into Ole Athletics as our women's golf coach," Mahlum said. "I certainly understand that it was a difficult decision to step away from the program and am grateful that Katie is doing everything she can to make the transition to a new coach as smooth as possible. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this program and I know our student-athletes appreciated his insight last year as an assistant coach. I am very excited to watch his leadership impact the program moving forward."
 
After being named head coach prior to the 2013-14 season, Luckraft coached eight Oles to All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) honors during her time at St. Olaf. The Oles finished as high as fifth at the MIAC Championships in 2018-19 and earned numerous academic accolades under Luckraft's leadership. Luckraft will continue to work with the program as a volunteer assistant coach.
 
"St. Olaf is a special place and it's hard to put into words how much my time at St. Olaf has meant to me," Luckraft said. "I'm so grateful for the support of the entire St. Olaf family who has been there from day one with welcoming and open arms. I want to thank all of my players for their hard work on the golf course and in the classroom, for the memories that will be treasured forever and for making me so proud and blessed to be their coach. I'm excited for the future of the program and to hand the torch over to Brian, who I know will do incredible things for St. Olaf women's golf. Go Oles!"
 
Stevens joined Luckraft's staff as an assistant coach this past January and helped coach the team during the spring portion of its 2023-24 schedule. As an assistant coach, he assisted with player development, tournament preparation, and on-course teaching, while also being involved with recruiting. From 2005-19, Stevens was the head coach of the girls golf program at Northfield High School, where he grew the program from 15 players to over 70, won six conference championships, and three section titles. He coached 14 individuals who qualified for the state tournament - at least one each year since 2008 - and four all-state players who finished second, third, sixth, and seventh, respectively.
 
"I am honored to be taking the lead for the St. Olaf women's golf program," Stevens said. "After 20 years in coaching and being part of a family that has immersed themselves in the game, I am excited to take those experiences and build upon the foundation that Coach Luckraft has built for our team. I am eager to put my stamp on the program's history with a leadership style that is hard-working, competitive, and a whole lot of fun. I'm so grateful to Coach Luckraft and the 2023-24 team for welcoming me last year and allowing me to earn their trust. I believe this program is special and I look forward to helping put the pieces in place to get us to the top of the MIAC."

St. Olaf will open its fall at the CSB Invitational on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell.