NEW ULM, Minn. - Martin Luther College Director of Athletics Jim Unke was called to heaven on Saturday, July 30, after suffering a fatal brain injury caused by a stroke on July 15.

Unke served as athletic director at MLC for 25 years from 1997-2022. He also served as men's basketball coach for 19 seasons from 1997-2016. 

During his tenure as athletic director, Unke led the Knights' athletic department across 16 varsity sports and played a crucial role in the expansion of the school's athletic facilities, including the fund raising and construction of the Betty Kohn Fieldhouse, as well as the school's soccer facility and baseball field.

Unke was also an instrumental leader in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), volunteering his time as the league's commissioner prior to the conference becoming an NCAA Division III member conference in 2008. In 2019, Unke was awarded a UMAC 10-Year Service Award for his contributions as part of the league's 10-year anniversary. 

Unke finished his 40th year as a member of the public gospel ministry in 2022. He started his teaching career at East Fork Lutheran High School (White River, AZ) as an emergency instructor and basketball coach in 1980. He also served as eighth-grade teacher, basketball coach, and athletic director at St. Paul's Lutheran School (New Ulm, MN) from 1983-87, and then served 10 years as athletic director and men's basketball coach at Lakeside Lutheran High School (Lake Mills, WI) from 1987-97.

Please keep Jim's wife, Lori, along with his three children (Dan, Angie, and Jake) and 10 grandchildren in your prayers. 

Follow the link below to read the full message sent to the campus family by MLC President, Rich Gurgel.

https://mlc-wels.edu/news-and-notes/2022/07/prayers-with-unke-family

We will be sure to pass on information about Jim's funeral service as soon as that is shared with us.