Feb. 3, 2000

The University of Missouri has hired Susan and Wayne Kreklow from cross-town Columbia College to take over the reins of the Missouri volleyball program, Director of Athletics Michael Alden announced today. The Kreklows succeed Disa Johnson who stepped down in December after six seasons at MU. Susan Kreklow has been named head coach while Wayne Kreklow will be her top assistant. The Kreklows also have the option of hiring one additional assistant.

"The addition of Wayne and Susan Kreklow sets another piece in the championship foundation we are building here at Missouri," Alden said. "We conducted a very thorough search and believe we have found the best people to help our volleyball student-athletes strive for academic and athletic excellence."

"We conducted a national search and had an excellent pool of candidates" Associate Director of Athletics Sarah Reesman said. "Ultimately, we found the best fit for our program right down the street."

Since 1993, the Kreklows have been co-head coaches of both the men's and women's volleyball teams at Columbia College. In that time, they have enjoyed great success, taking their women's team to the NAIA National Tournament six times and winning two consecutive national titles in 1998 (the first ever for Columbia) and 1999. The Cougars have also won the last five regional championships and the last seven American Midwest Conference championships. In 1998 and 1999, Columbia College achieved consecutive undefeated seasons with a combined record of 85-0. The Cougars undefeated record included 78 consecutive wins at home and 227 consecutive game victories.

In 1997 and 1998, the Kreklows shared NAIA/AVCA National Coach of the Year and Midwest Region Coach of the Year honors. In 1999, the coaching tandem took home the regional award for the fifth consecutive year. In 1998 and 1999, the Kreklows also received the NAIA National Tournament Coach of the Year award.

"We're very excited for the opportunity to come to the University of Missouri. We are excited about the talented group of young women that we have to work with and the supportive athletic administration at the university," Susan Kreklow said.

"It has been a very long, exhausting and interesting week," Wayne Kreklow said. "We are very excited, but it has been tough saying goodbye here. This (new position) is a great opportunity for us and we are excited to get started."

Along with the success of the women's program, the Kreklows started the men's volleyball program at Columbia College in 1997. In 1999, the Cougars finished the season with a 19-5 overall record, enjoying their second consecutive undefeated run through the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. They also took second place at the inaugural SSI Volleyball National Invitational Tournament in 1999.

Susan Kreklow played volleyball for Central Missouri State University. She received her bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's of science degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1984 and 1987, respectively. She began her coaching career at St. Clair (Mo.) High School. She began her collegiate coaching career at Columbia College in 1990. Susan was the founder of Columbia Juniors Volleyball Club and the Columbia Developmental Volleyball Leagues. She is also a member of the USA Volleyball Board of Directors as the NAIA representative and is president of the NAIA National Coaches Association.

Wayne Kreklow earned a bachelor's degree in social science in 1980 from Drake University. While at Drake, Wayne was a member of the men's basketball team, earning all-conference and all-district awards, was two-time team captain and is fifth on Drake's career scoring list. He is also a member of Drake's "All-time" basketball team and was a member of the World Champion Boston Celtics in 1980-81. Wayne began coaching basketball for Central Decatur (Iowa) High School in 1986. He began coaching volleyball as an assistant under Craig Sherman at Missouri. He was with the Tigers from 1989 to 1994 before moving over to Columbia College to join his wife at the helm of the Cougars program.