RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology says its athletics director is stepping down to join his son at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Dick Kaiser will become the head athletic grounds supervisor and director of the intercollegiate golf program at the school in Alva, Okla., effective July 31. Kaiser's son, Ryan Kaiser, is an associate athletics director at Northwestern Oklahoma.

Kaiser says he wasn't looking for a change, but he knew if the right opportunity came up he needed to look at it.

Kaiser, who was hired in 2009, was the driving force behind the Hardrockers' four-year journey from NAIA to NCAA Division II status.

President Heather Wilson thanked Kaiser for his dedication to the university and guiding the athletics department in the right direction.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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