“Shawn has meant so much to our basketball program,” said M State Co-Athletic Director Jason Retzlaff. “His passion for the game and Spartan basketball was evident every day. He is a tremendous human being that our athletes were able to look up to. We’re so thankful for his hard work and contributions to M State.”

Sorenson, an M State graduate who played basketball for the Spartans, took over the head coaching position in 2017. During the 2020-21 pandemic-shortened season, M State was one of four teams in the conference that opted to compete.

“I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to be the head basketball coach at M State,” Sorenson said. “It’s been an honor to coach the Spartans and to work with so many great student athletes who helped create memorable moments over the years through their hard work and dedication.”

Sorenson had special thanks for assistant coaches Daniel Berge and Isaiah Lemke for their willingness to go “above and beyond” to help the team improve each day, adding that “their selfless commitment to Spartan basketball had a major impact on the program.”

He also thanked the parents of the players and expressed “best wishes in the years to come for Spartan basketball.”

As a member of the Minnesota State system, M State serves more than 8,000 students in credit courses each year in more than 70 career and liberal arts programs online and at its campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. By partnering with communities, the college also provides workforce development services and other responsive training programs.