COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho —- Swayne’s shocking decision to eliminate the successful golf program at North Idaho College (NIC) without prior discussion with Coach Russell Grove or notice to student-athletes on the golf teams caused upset parents, distressed students, and frustrated community members to contact Kootenai Journal with one main concern: “What in the hell is going on at NIC?”
Ever heard the term “elections have consequences”?
At the board’s regular business meeting on Nov. 20, Eve Knudtsen, Mary Havercroft, and Rick Durbin were sworn-in following their election on Nov. 5. The three new trustees, who were backed by the activist non-profit SaveNIC and endorsed by sitting trustees Tarie Zimmerman and Brad Corkill, voted to allow President Dominic “Nick” Swayne to have full control over all athletic decisions in order to “control costs.” They also authorized Corkill and Zimmerman to negotiate a new contract with Swayne.
Soon after receiving authority over all athletic decisions, Swayne’s administration issued a press release stating, “The NIC men’s and women’s Golf program will be eliminated after Spring Semester 2025 as part of cost-saving measures.” According to multiple sources, the written public announcement on Dec. 4 was how Coach Grove and the golf students were notified that their program was cut. The release claimed the decision could save the college $600,000, however, financial data shows 2024 operating expenses for golf was under $133,000.
At the Dec. 18 board meeting, the trustees unanimously voted to enter into a new contract with Swayne. The new contract extended Swayne’s employment until Aug. 1, 2028, increased his salary to $253,000 per year, and continued a $2,500 per month allotment for housing along with other benefits. The contract maintains the controversial supermajority vote provision needed to terminate Swayne’s employment. Swayne receives significantly more compensation than all of Idaho’s top executives, including the Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.
One NIC parent told Kootenai Journal, “It’s just so frustrating. A few people at that school are ruining it for thousands of great people…[I] really hope the truth comes out about this president at NIC… The audacity to give himself a raise and ruin kids’ lives in insanity.”
“Now the school is going to lose money,” the parent continued while sharing a screenshot from social media with the account’s name redacted. “I’ve donated thousands of dollars to this school over the years as have many others in the town. Now they cut golf which is one of the best programs in the country for JC’s. If golf is done well then so are my donations. I’m done with NIC.”
“The college’s golf teams had the highest social media following than all the other teams combined,” shared NIC Booster Club President Doug Miller. “For 10 years, Russell has run a very professional and competitive Golf program for both women’s and men’s teams. Winning several tournaments and league championships. He has always been within his budget.”
“I can’t remember a time where a situation pertaining to NIC Athletics was handled so poorly by the Administration and Trustees,” continued Miller. “Especially pertaining to how popular Golf is to this area. There was no communication with the Booster Club Board prior to this decision.”
According to NIC’s official profile on Grove, the coach holds an impressive record which elevated the college’s reputation and renown. “This spring Grove became the first coach in the history of the Northwest Athletic Conference to win six Northwest Athletic Conference Championship Titles in a row since the NWAC’s inception in 1947. Over the six-year stint coach Grove accumulated a win/loss record of 271 wins and 11 loses for the men’s program. During the historic year of 2023-2024 Grove led both the men’s and women’s teams to undefeated regular seasons and to winning both the men’s and women’s Northwest Athletic Conference Championships, while earning coach of the year awards of the NWAC. This is the second year that coach Grove has recorded an undefeated year, winning every conference tournament, the first being 2022-2023.”
Before a special board meeting on Dec. 11 where the trustees took action to hire new general counsel, Swayne spoke with Trustee Tarie Zimmerman about his decision to eliminate the golf program. In his comments, Swayne claimed “it’s been a year long slog” and tossed around a $5 million cost figure for athletic programs at NIC. According to records obtained by Kootenai Journal, the total operating expenses for all athletics at the college in 2024 was just over $1.85 million, up from $1.65 million in 2023 and $1.85 million in 2022.
During the first NIC Booster Club meeting following the elimination of the golf program, the club’s executive board discussed ways to “save golf at NIC.” When asked by Coach Grove how much money he would need to raise, NIC Athletic Director Shawn Noël reiterated the $600,000 figure previously stated by the administration. In response to a question posed by Miller on suggestions of how to move forward, Noël stated, “Blow it up and start over.”
The fate of the rest of the athletic programs at NIC remains unclear, although both the administration and the board have made statements of support. “I think it is fair to say that everyone of us believe that an athletics program enhances the experience that students have at North Idaho College,” stated Knudtsen.
Grove’s upstanding professional reputation and winning record quickly earned him a position at Eastern Washington University (EWU) in Cheney, Washington. But first, he assisted NIC’s student golfers with placements on new teams—-all but two have made arrangements to play for other colleges.
In a recent press release, EWU Director of Athletic Tim Collins stated, “When we decided to bring back men’s golf, I knew we needed someone to lead the program with experience in both college athletics and at the professional level. Russell brings both qualities to Eastern Washington. There is a lot of potential for growth for men’s golf in this region and I believe Russell is the coach to achieve our goals as a department. I look forward to working with Coach to develop the holistic experience and deliver on the academic and athletic outcomes for our men’s golf student-athletes. He will undoubtedly build this program up to the EWU standard of success.”
“I’m thrilled to step into this role as head men’s golf coach at Eastern Washington University,” said Grove in the release. “The return of golf to Eastern Washington is an exciting moment for our students, alumni, and the entire community. I look forward to building a program focused on fostering connections, building tradition, and providing our student-athletes with opportunities to excel academically and athletically.”
