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Upper Iowa University head softball coach Brent Kuker has stepped down from his position, effective immediately, and will move over to the UIU Recreation Center to become a Director of the facility. Kuker has spent the last six years as the head coach of the UIU softball team compiling a record of 97-123-1. Kuker leaves as the winningest coach in the program’s history.
“Right now, this move is the right one for me and my family. My wife and I have two young kids at home and this move will give me a chance to spend more time with them all,” said Kuker. “The strain of travel, practices, and games has also taken a real toll on me physically. I am not turning my back on coaching for good. If the right opportunity came along down the road, I might consider it.” Kuker, a native of Readlyn, Iowa, graduated from Wapsie Valley High School. He attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1991 with a B.S. in Physical Education. He has served as a coach in the softball and women’s basketball programs during his ten years at Upper Iowa. Kuker has coached for 21 years in all including stops at Wapsie Valley High School and Iowa Lakes Community College; he has coached volleyball, men’s basketball, softball, boy’s basketball, golf, and baseball over the years. Under Kuker, the softball program enjoyed their first two winning seasons in 2003 (21-17) and 2004 (28-18) and broke 18 team records and numerous individual records. Kuker coached over 30 NFCA Scholar Athletes, 3 Verizon Academic All-Americans, 3 NFCA All-Region Players, and 2 Independent Collegiate Athletic Association All-Division II team members. Gil Cloud, the Director of Athletics at Upper Iowa, said, “We reluctantly accept Coach Kuker’s resignation as the Head Softball Coach and Instructor. He has performed very well in transitioning his program into Division II softball and the Northern Sun Conference. He will be missed. However, we are equally excited about his move to the Recreation Center and the future of student recreation programs at UIU under his leadership. I want to thank him for his years of service in the athletics department and look forward to working with him as a part of our department in the Student Recreation Center.” Kuker stated, “I am very excited to continue being a part of the UIU family. I graduated from here and I think that Upper Iowa is a great place to be. There is a real sense of community. I am thankful to the University for giving me this opportunity to move out of coaching but still be a part of Peacock Athletics here in Fayette.” Christina Missildine, the current assistant coach, will take over as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. “The team will miss Coach Kuker’s leadership. We wish him the best in his move, but we’re glad that he’s not going far. We know he will be our biggest fan,” said Missildine. “I would like to thank Gil (Cloud) for giving me the opportunity to lead this team into its inaugural season in the Northern Sun Conference. We are going out to make a mark in the NSIC.” Kuker wished to leave the team with these final thoughts. “I want to thank all the players and coaches over the last six years for buying into the team concept as they built a solid foundation for this softball program. I wish this year’s team nothing but the best as they move forward.” Kuker continued, “This team is in great hands with Coach Missildine and Coach Retterath. I believe this team has the potential to do great things under Coach Missildine this season in the Northern Sun Conference. There will always be a special place in my heart for these players.” The UIU softball team is currently 6-9 and will travel to Minnesota State – Mankato, Mount Mercy, and St. Cloud State before playing their first home game on April 4th against Grandview College. |
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