MCC News

Mon, Jan 5, 2009 - [Women's Soccer] - Viewed 818 times - Post By Eric Kunick

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University women's soccer head coach Will Lemke announced today that he will be leaving Viterbo to take over NCAA Division I Youngstown State University women's soccer program.

"It's a bittersweet moment leaving the staff and the team here at Viterbo University who have become such apart of my family during my time here," commented Coach Lemke. "At the same time, I am really excited to start this new challenge at Youngstown State. The staff and administration there have been very engaging and supportive and I look forward to being a part of the Youngstown State family."
 
To read Youngstown State Universities announcement please click here.

Coach Lemke just finished his eighth season at the helm of the V-Hawk women's program. During his eight seasons, Coach Lemke has taken a young program that had won only 24 games in its first six seasons of existence to a program that is one of the top teams in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Throughout Coach Lemke's time here at Viterbo, the V-Hawks have won 85 games, two MCC regular season championships, a MCC tournament championship, as well as made two trips to the NAIA regional tournament.

For as much success as the V-Hawks have had on the field, it may be the success that the V-Hawks have had in the classroom that makes Coach Lemke most proud of his time here at Viterbo. Coach Lemke's teams have had one of the top team GPA's at Viterbo during his time and he will have nine student-athletes graduate this year alone from Viterbo.

"Will has done a terrific job with our women's soccer program," commented Viterbo athletics director Barry Fried. "He truly deserves the opportunity to coach at the next level and we thank him for his service to Viterbo and wish him well at Youngstown State."

Accepting the position at Youngstown State puts Coach Lemke in a position he saw himself in eight years ago when he took over the V-Hawk program. The Penguins have won just 13 games over the last 7 seasons and have not won more than 1 conference game in a single season. The Penguins play in the very tough Horizon league where UW-Milwaukee is the perennial power. Coach Lemke is hopeful that he can have the same type of success he has had at Viterbo. It took coach Lemke just two seasons to break the single season wins mark at Viterbo and just three seasons to set the school record for wins by a coach at Viterbo. If coach Lemke can have the same success, V-Hawk fans can expect to here about Youngstown State making some noise in the Horizon league in just a few seasons.

A search will begin immediately for Coach Lemke's successor at Viterbo University.

Editor's note: Will Lemke can be contacted for more information on his cell phone at 608-345-6623.