Thunderbird Athletics Coaching Staff - 2008-2009
Athletic Director /
Women's Head
Basketball Coach
Daryl Bears Tail
Now in his fifth year as athletic director, Bears Tail was formerly a UTTC Chemical Health Center counselor from 1989-96; he is a grass dancer. His professional career has been in social work and family therapy at Three Affiliated; he also coached track, basketball and cross-country. As an athlete, he ran cross-country at University of Mary. His philosophy about athletics: "To me athletics is a valuable tool for young men and women to achieve an education - must keep it in perspective though." He says he is happy and excited to be in a new role helping young people, and he thanks the college for the opportunity to be at United Tribes again.
Men's Basketball
Coach / Golf Coach
Gerry Geistler
Gerry Geistler was born in Detroit Michigan and was a first team all-city, all-state, and 2nd team all-american basketball player at Detroit Redford High School. He played college basketball at Michigan State University and was a member of the 1967 MSU Big Ten Championship team and received the sportsmanship award in his senior season. He coached football and both girls and boys basketball at Webberville High School in Michigan for six years. Following that he was the advertising and promotion representative to the NBA, Big Ten, Southeast Conference and the Missouri Valley for the adidas shoe company. He then was the founder and coach of the Northern Lights AAU Basketball Team in Minneapolis MN for 7 years and the assistant women's basketball coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers for three seasons. After moving to Bismarck he worked as the Operations Coordinator for the North Dakota Law Enforcement Academy and served as an assistant coach to both the men's and women's basketball teams at Bismarck State College.
Gerry has been married to his wonderful wife Pat for 37 years and they have two children. His daughter Kelly played basketball at Southern Illinois University and lives in Bismarck. His son Todd played basketball and golf at Bismarck High School and lives in Portland Oregon.
Men's Assistant
Basketball Coach /
Ruth Buffalo
Buffalo was a North Dakota All-State Player and State Champion in the 800 m. She played college ball at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and Huron University, Huron, SD. Her junior year, her team was DAC-10 Conference Champions and made it to the National Tournament. She was an 1st Team, All-Conference selection as a senior and was invited to a professional basketball showcase in Atlanta, Georgia in 2002.
Cross Country
Coach Paul Kohler
Information pending...
United Tribes Technical College is a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by the five tribes located wholly or in part in North Dakota. Tribal owners: Three Affiliated Tribes of Ft. Berthold, Spirit Lake Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
