John Welty to Retire After 24-Year Career as Head Football Coach at Westminster College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fulton, Mo. – Nov. 6, 2023: Westminster College announced today that Head Football Coach John Welty is retiring after 24 years with the Blue Jays.

The longtime Blue Jays coach began his career with Westminster in 1998 as a defensive coordinator, transitioning to head coach in 1999.

“I consider it an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to coach football at Westminster,” he said. “I would like to thank the College for entrusting me to lead this program and am thankful for seeing so many young men move on to successful careers after graduation.”

Welty holds an overall head coaching record of 103-108. During his tenure at Westminster, he won three Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) South Division Championships, two UMAC Championships, and a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Championship. He was named UMAC South Division Coach of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005, respectively. Welty was also UMAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2004 and SLIAC Coach of the Year in 1999.

“Coach Welty’s time at Westminster has impacted many students’ lives. His dedication to the team, the sport, and the College is a testament to who he is as a coach and as a person. On behalf of the College, and the many Blue Jays he has coached over the 24 years of his tenure, we sincerely thank him and wish him the best,” said Donald P. Lofe, Jr., President and Chief Transformation Officer of Westminster College.

Derek Zander, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Athletics Advancement, and Strategic Programs stated that he is appreciative of the strong foundation in football Welty leaves as his legacy, a foundation which Zander is looking forward to building upon.

“John’s legacy at Westminster extends well beyond numerous awards, accolades, and championships,” Zander said. “He has invested a great deal of himself in the Blue Jays football program, his former coaches, and every student-athlete he has coached during his tenure. I appreciate all that he has done to build the program that we have today.”

Welty is a 1977 graduate of Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, where he served as head coach for eight years prior to joining the Westminster staff.

The College will immediately begin a national search to replace Welty.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS AND WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: The Department of Athletics at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, boasts 19 varsity sports teams and is a member of the NCAA Division III, the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College is ranked prestigiously by The Princeton Review as one of the “Best 150 colleges in the Midwest” for 2024. New graduates experience a more than 90% placement rate within six months of graduation, while Westminster alumni are in the top 16% nationwide for graduate earnings. The only National Liberal Arts college in Missouri, Westminster has long been recognized for its focus on educating and inspiring students to make an impact on the world around them. Find out more about Westminster College by visiting our website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Backer at 573-220-9038 or [email protected].