Team Kreklow Makes Administrative Move
8/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri athletic department officials announced Tuesday that Wayne Kreklow will take over Mizzou Volleyball's Head Coaching title starting this season with his wife, Susan, remaining as Associate Head Coach. The thriving couple cited family considerations for the move.
"In no way will this change our coaching philosophy or the manner in which our program operates," said Wayne Kreklow. "This is only a personal administrative move, based on family considerations. We've been co-coaching together for 11 years and in no way does this change the attitude or the meaning of our program."
"The Kreklows are doing and have done great things for our volleyball program here at Missouri," said Athletic Director Mike Alden. "I support the Kreklows in their decision, knowing that the standard of excellence that they have set, in the classroom and on the court, will not be hindered as a result."
Since Missouri does not proclaim the Kreklows as co-head coaches, the NCAA will consider their win-loss records separately. Susan's win-loss record stands at 109-46 through five seasons. The .703 winning percentage is the best in school history for a coach's career. Prior to Missouri, Susan was head coach of Columbia College's women's team from 1990 to 1993 and co-head coach with Wayne from 1994 to 1999. As a women's coach, Susan accumulated a winning record of 565-132 (.811) over 15 seasons. Susan was also co-head coach with Wayne for Columbia College's men from 1997 to 1999, giving Susan an overall record of 618-156 (.798).
Wayne brings to Missouri a 267-29 (.902) women's head coaching record from his days with Susan at Columbia College which will stand as his NCAA-official coaches' record through six seasons. Added to a 53-24 (.688) record from coaching Columbia College's men's team, Wayne is 320-53 (.858) overall as a head coach. Prior to joining his wife at Columbia College in 1994 as co-head coach, Kreklow was an assistant coach at Missouri under Craig Sherman for five years.
Wayne Kreklow earned a bachelor's degree in social science in 1980 from Drake University. While at Drake, Kreklow was a member of the men's basketball team, where he earned All-American honorable mention honors as a two-time captain and was named a member of Drake's "All-time" basketball team. During the 1980-81 season, Kreklow was a member of the NBA World Champion Boston Celtics. Also at Drake, Kreklow was part of the men's volleyball club team and was invited to tryout for the U.S. National team and was selected as a training program participant, but Kreklow chose to play basketball instead.
Kreklow began his coaching career as head basketball and volleyball coach at Central Decatur (Iowa) High School in 1986. Then, Kreklow accepted an assistant coaching position at Missouri under Craig Sherman in 1989, earning his master's degree at Mizzou in Educational and Counseling Psychology before joining his wife at Columbia College.
Last year, Mizzou Volleyball went 20-9 overall, which included a 14-6 Big 12 record, tying for third in the conference. The Tigers also made their fifth-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, hosting first and second rounds.
In the preseason Big 12 coaches' poll, the Tigers were picked to finish second behind Nebraska. In the preseason CSTV/AVCA National Coaches' Poll, Missouri was picked 21st.
The Missouri Volleyball team will host the Tiger Invitational September 2-4, with matches against Utah and No. 9 Tennessee to kick-off the 2005 season. This Friday, the squad will host their annual Black & Gold Match to be held in the Hearnes Center at 6:30 p.m.
