Jan. 2, 2001

Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri women's soccer program turns out another NCAA Head Coach in Kathy Schmidtke, the Tiger's volunteer assistant coach, who will make her debut at Westminster University.

Schmidtke served one year with the team helping the 2000 Tigers to a 10-10 season record while working toward a master of science and teaching degree in mathematics. Along with her coaching duties, she also plans to teach math at Westminster.

Schmidtke returns to coach at her alma mater where she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and secondary education in 1995. Schmidtke was a midfielder for the Division III school from 1991-95. Westminster is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conferece. This is her first head coaching position.

"We are both happy and sad about Kathy's new position," MU Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "We are excited to see her move up to the next level, but she will be missed. The team looks forward to watching her succeed at Westminster."

Schmidtke is the third assistant Blitz has lost to a head coaching position this year. First assistant Jennifer Haigh took over the women's soccer program at Northwestern earlier this month.