Anoka-Ramsey head softball coach Dave Alto has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Coach Alto has been at the helm of the Golden Rams since 2010 and has developed one of the top junior college softball programs in the Region.

Since taking over as head coach, Alto has led the program to a school record in wins (33 in 2022), nine NJCAA Region XIII Tournament appearances, and four NJCAA Region XIII runner-up finishes.  The Golden Rams have had 15 All-American players under Coach Alto including the 2011 National Catcher of the Year and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Golden Shoe Award winner in 2021 and 2022.

The program has been ranked in the NJCAA national poll each of the past seven seasons, peaking at #4 in 2018.

Since the 2015 season (excluding the COVID cancelled 2020 season), the Golden Rams have a 177-113 overall record (.610 win percentage) and never had a losing season over that stretch.  Six of the seven seasons saw the team win 20 games or more, with a majority of early season games being played against NJCAA Division I and II teams during the program’s spring trip to the southern United States.

In addition to his retirement from softball, Coach Alto is also retiring from teaching in the college’s HPER department.  Alto also spent 13 years as the Anoka-Ramsey Athletic Director and spent time as the assistant women’s basketball coach as well.

A national search for the next Anoka-Ramsey Head Softball Coach will begin immediately.