Jason Bonde to depart RCTC women's basketball team to become Lake City boys coach
Apr. 23—LAKE CITY — The most successful women's basketball coach that Rochester Community and Technical College has ever had is going to try his hand coaching one of most traditionally successful high school programs in Minnesota. Jason Bonde has been announced as the next Lake City boys basketball coach.
He succeeds Greg Berge, who in 20 years coached the Tigers to a 392-146 record with three state tournament appearances mixed in. Bonde becomes just the fourth boys basketball coach ever at Lake City. He was preceded by Jerry Snyder (28 years), Shawn Sweeney (eight years) and Berge.
"Leaving RCTC (where he coached for five seasons) wasn't an easy decision because it's tough leaving a program that you've invested so much in," said the 48-year-old Bonde. "But opportunities come up that aren't always in your plan. " Bonde sees this Lake City boys job as a golden chance.
"I'm really excited about this," Bonde said. Bonde spent this past basketball season without a women's team at RCTC. After winning the national championship and being named the Division III Junior College Women's Coach of the Year in 2024-25, RCTC did not have enough players to field a team in 2025-26.
Instead, Bonde spent his time helping out with the Lake City girls team and re-acclimating himself with the high school scene. A resident of Lake City the past 18 years, where he is married with three children, Bonde knows the community well. The more he worked with the high school athletes, the more operating at this level piqued his interest.