The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference is proud to announce the changing of the name of the "KCAC Basketball Coach of the Year" award to the "Lonnie Kruse Coach of the Year" award, to honor and recognize the 33 year legacy of Lonnie Kruse while at the helm of the Sterling College Warrior Women's Basketball program.

"When they told me they were changing the name, I was totally shocked and surprised about it. It becomes surreal when something like this happens," said Kruse. "I never thought anything like this would ever happen and I appreciate the coaches and the conference for this honor and I can't thank them enough for doing this."

Coach Kruse was the head coach of the Sterling Women's Basketball program for 33 years and has accumulated a 706-244 record, with numerous awards achieved over the seasons. Kruse has been named KCAC "Coach of the Year" 12 times: 1988-89, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10, and 2010-11.

During his tenure the Warriors have posted twenty 21+ win seasons, won the KCAC regular season title 12 times and qualified 16 times for the NAIA National Tournament while under Kruse's leadership. The women have also maintained a high national ranking, ending 14 of the last 17 seasons in the top 25 nationally.

"I cannot think of a more deserving coach and individual than Lonnie Kruse in receiving this honor from his coaching peers," indicated Dr. Scott Crawford, Commissioner for the KCAC.  "Looking forward, it will be exciting to have Coach Kruse on the floor at Hartman Arena with me this winter as we present this award for the first time."

Kruse has also produced 66 First Team All-Conference selections, 53 All-Conference Honorable Mention selections, 10 KCAC "Freshmen of the Year", 10 NAIA Honorable Mention All-America selections, two Third Team NAIA All-America, five Second Team NAIA All-America selections and one First Team NAIA All-American. Since 1989, Coach Kruse has also seen 42 different players become Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes.

"Lonnie's legacy at Sterling will never be forgotten. What he was able to do here, on and off the court and for the community of Sterling was something special," said Athletic Director Gary Kempf, "Having this award named after him shows the impact that he had, not only here in the city of Sterling, but also all over the state of Kansas. He is a consummate professional at what he does and his character, leadership, and affection for others will always be recognized each year with the naming of this award."

- See more at: http://www.sterling.edu/news/coach-year-award-be-named-after-lonnie-krus...