| COACHING RESUME |
Gustavus Adolphus College - 2020-Present
Assistant Softball Coach |
| EDUCATION |
| B.S. MSU-Mankato |
| HOMETOWN |
| Madison Lake, Minn. |
|
John Ries will enter his fifth season as an assistant coach of the Gustavus Adolphus College softball team in the 2024-25 academic year. Ries joined the coaching staff with his daughter, head coach Coley Ries Welter, in the fall of 2020.
Ries has helped guide the Gustavus softball team to four strong showings since joining the program, starting with a 17-17 overall record in 2021. The following year, the Gusties improved their conference standing, finishing 10-12 in the MIAC. 2023 was a memorable season for the team, compiling an overall record of 24-18 and MIAC finish of 14-8 (fourth). The 2023 Gusties defeated nationally-ranked No. 14 Saint Benedict, hosted the first ever home playoff game at the Gustie Softball Field, and won a MIAC playoff game for the first time since 2015. Four individuals earned 2023 All-Conference selections, but the awards season was highlighted by Greta Dahlen (West Des Moines, Iowa) who was selected as the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner for right field, making Gustavus and MIAC history as the first to ever receive the honor.
The Gusties impressed further in 2024, posting their best MIAC record since the 2016 season, finishing tied for fourth with a record of 17-5 after an historic three-way regular season tie. The Gusties won a game against every conference opponent, including a sweep of No. 10 nationally-ranked Bethel, and splits with MIAC Champions Saint Mary's and Saint Benedict. The 2024 season marked the third in a row that the Gusties have finished with double-digit league wins. Four athletes earned MIAC All-Conference honors, while the Gustie pitching crew led the league in team ERA in the MIAC regular season.
Ries helped his daughter become one of the most renowned pitchers in the state of Minnesota, as she compiled a wealth of achievements as a player. As the ace of the pitching staff, Ries Welter led the Mavericks to the 2017 NCAA Division II national championship where she posted a 41-3 overall record with a 1.05 ERA while striking out 476 batters in 294.2 innings. She was named the 2017 NFCA Division II Player of the Year and the D2CCA Pitcher of the Year. Ries Welter also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, was a two-time All-American, two-time Central Region Pitcher of the Year, and three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Year. Following her graduation, Ries Welter played professional softball for the Texas Charge, Chicago Bandits, and the Aussie Spirit.
Ries spent much of his career between the banking industry and real estate, and has served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT. Ries and his wife Susan reside in Eagle Lake, Minn., and have two grown children, daughter Coley and son Taylor.
