Coach Menk surveys his youth soccer team.
Service is a core value that Gustavus Adolphus College community members take seriously, but this month David Menk took it to a new level.
Menk, director of institutional research and a Gustavus graduate (1994), is sporting a new hairdo compliments of the local U-19 men’s youth soccer team. After winning the state championship, the St. Peter youths thanked their coach by shaving his head.
“I promised the soccer team that if they won state I would let them give me a mohawk,” Menk said. David spent the past spring and summer coaching two St. Peter youth soccer teams: the U-16 men’s team and the U-19 team. Both teams won their district tournaments and earned trips to state. Menk is proud to be part of the growing St. Peter soccer program. The teams records were 7-3-2 for U16 and 13-1-1 for U19.
Menk never played soccer in his youth, but he became interested in it through his two children. He has been a soccer coach for 11 years.
In his job, David spends time developing, conducting, and analyzing research, so he likes to spend his time away from work doing various community service activities. As one college official put it, “Menk is a great example of a Gustavus employee engaged in community service, connecting the College to the community in a meaningful way.”
In addition to soccer coaching, Menk serves in various capacities at First Lutheran Church, including serving as confirmation teacher.