MITCHELL, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The Dakota Wesleyan University community is mourning the loss of two former baseball players after their deaths on Friday.
The Ethan School District announced on Saturday that social science teacher and coach Reed Harter had passed away. Harter was 28 and grew up in Colome.
MORE: Ethan School District shares that teacher and coach dies
Dakota Wesleyan University also announced the death of Chandler Bakley on Saturday. He was 27 and grew up in Martin.
Both passed away on Friday. The two played baseball at Dakota Wesleyan, with Harter serving as a volunteer assistant coach on the team at the time of his death. Bakley also spent time as a student assistant coach.
Dakota Wesleyan Head Baseball Coach Charlie Dubanoski said this loss hurts DWU and the surrounding communities.
“Reed was with us all fall and had a huge impact on our players. Not only being an alum and a great baseball player, but also a great coach. A guy that I wanted with us, with him teaching in Ethan for a long time,” Dubanoski said. “And Chandler, every time you see him, it’s a smile. He would show up for all of our alumni stuff and support us as a fan and an alum in the spring. It’s pretty devastating.”
Dakota Wesleyan honored the Harter and Bakley before Sunday’s basketball doubleheader against Concordia. The Ethan Girls Basketball team was scheduled to play Parkston on Saturday in the Hanson Classic in Mitchell as well, but that game was canceled.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.