Samson to guide Lights, Skylights programs

(Created: Thursday, March 29, 2007)

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

It didn’t take long for Montana State University-Northern to find its replacement for recently resigned athletic director Dave Gantt, who resigned from his post on Monday. On Wednesday afternoon, MSU-N officials announced that Lights’ football coach Mark Samson will take Gantt’s place as athletic director. Samson has been the head football coach for three years and he will continue in that position while taking on the role of athletic director. “I thought through my decision after consulting with several people and I decided it would be an opportunity for me to continue to do the great work that Dave has started,” Samson said on Wednesday. Because of recent budget cuts at MSU-N, Samson’s position as AD will not be considered a full-time position according to MSU-N Chancellor Alex Capdeville. “Our enrollment is down this semester so we have to make cuts to bring the budget in line. As much as I would like to continue to have a full-time athletic director it is not possible at this time.” Samson, a 1982 graduate of the University of Montana, came to Northern from Helena three years ago to take over the football position vacated by Walt Currie. In Helena, Samson coached at Helena Capital High School from 1997-2003, and he led the Bruins to Class AA state championships in 1999, 2000 and 2002 while compiling a stellar 67-12 overall record. Earlier in his career he had assistant coaching stints at Helena High and Townsend before taking his first head job at Missoula Loyola in 1987. In 1990, Samson took an assistant position at Carroll College, and in 1992, was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach where he remained until moving to Capital. At MSU-N, Samson has compiled a 15-18 overall record, but he has completed a remarkable turnaround with the Lights’ program, going from 1-10 in 2004 to 9-3 in 2006. This past season, the Lights finished second in the Frontier Conference, snapped then No. 1 Carroll College’s 29-game winning streak on Oct. 28 and qualified for the NAIA playoffs for the first time in school history. “I believe Dave Gantt has done an excellent job in organizing and streamlining our athletic department and as a result he has made it possible for a person like Samson to come in and keep things going,” Capdeville said. “I have been very impressed with Mark’s organizational abilities and I feel he will do an excellent job. It is important to establish some continuity and maintain the momentum that we are currently enjoying with our athletic programs and believe Samson is the man for the job. I feel that he has the respect and more importantly the support of the community.” Samson is currently in the middle of Conducting spring drills with his football team, and the Lights will hold their first scrimmage on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Havre High School. His new position will begin Monday. “We have a great team of coaches and my goal will be to help facilitate their winning programs and to help their students be successful both academically and athletically.”