Sorensen, Jim

1962 Sioux Falls Washington/1966 Augustana graduate. While he may be known as the long-time Beresford basketball coach, Sorensen was also one of the most successful prep golf coaches in state history. A four-time SD golf coach of the year, he was the 2012 national prep golf coach of the year. His girls’ teams won eight state titles (1978-80, 1989, 1995, 1997 and 2001-02) and were state runners-up six times (1977, 1981-82, 1990, 1994 and 1996). His boys were state golf champs four times (1979, 1984-85 and 2003) and state runners-up five times (1978, 1980-81, 2000 and 2005). Combined, his teams won more than 325 golf duals/tourneys, 23 conference titles, 28 region titles and had 33 top five state finishes over his 41-year career. Sorensen spent all but two of his years as an educator and coach at Beresford (1966-67 at Franklin, MN, and 1970-71 at Tri-Valley). Over Sorensen’s career, his boys’ basketball teams went 494-329 in 38 seasons with three state runner-up finishes (1979, 1980 and 1986), five regional titles, 11 district titles and eight conference titles. The Watchdogs had 27 winning seasons under Sorensen. Beresford has honored Sorensen by naming its basketball floor “Jim Sorensen Court”. He won numerous awards not only as a head coach, but as a girls’ basketball assistant coach as well. He is in several halls of fame: National High School Coaches, SD High School Coaches, SD Basketball Coaches, and SD Golf Coaches. He was an inaugural member of the Watchdog (Beresford School District) Hall of Fame. He also won Augustana’s prestigious Ole Odney award and the SD High School Activities Association Distinguished Service award. Sorensen earned six letters at Augie (three each in basketball and golf). In high school, Sorensen helped Washington to the 1962 State A basketball runner-up finish and the 1962 golf state championship.