April 28, 2005
Release courtesy of Bryan Boettcher, Coe College sports information director

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . Patrick Juckem (pronounced YUCK-um) has been named the head men’s basketball coach at Coe College, according to Director of Athletics John Chandler.

“Coach Juckem brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to our program, which will help us move to the next level,” said Chandler. “His experience has provided him the opportunity to work in an environment where both academics and athletics are valued, and he understands the role athletics plays in the total campus experience of a student-athlete.”

Juckem, a 1995 graduate of Lawrence University, has spent the past six years at his alma mater. As a full-time associate head coach over the past three seasons, he helped lead the Vikings to a 62-17 record. Lawrence has won back-to-back Midwest Conference titles and conference tournament titles.

This past season, the Vikings were ranked as high as fourth in the nation and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. Lawrence advanced to the elite eight in 2004 and was ranked as high as seventh.

“Our family is looking forward to joining the Coe community,” said Juckem. “Coe is a quality school, one I would send my own son to. The student-athletes I met were passionate about being basketball players, but they’re there for the right reasons. They are the complete package.”

Prior to serving at Lawrence, Juckem was the head boy’s varsity coach at Manitowoc Roncalli High School where he led the Jets to a 46-24 record over three seasons. During that time, the Jets won their first conference championship in 21 years and appeared in two state tournaments. Juckem was named the Eastern Wisconsin Conference Coach of the Year following the 1998-99 season.

Juckem received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lawrence in 1995. He will receive his master’s degree in secondary education from Viterbo University in July.

This year, Lawrence finished 20-6 overall and 12-4 in the Midwest Conference. The Vikings defeated Ripon College to capture their second-straight MWC tournament title. Lawrence defeated Gustavus Adolphus College in the first round of the NCAA tournament before falling to eventual champion UW-Stevens Point in round two.

Juckem credits current Lawrence Head Coach John Tharpe for helping to prepare him for the Coe job.

“I’m very fortunate that John (Tharpe) trusted a lot of responsibility with me,” Juckem said. “Coach Tharpe allowed me to grow and develop. He allowed me to be involved in all aspects of the program. I’ve done everything and experienced all aspects of the profession.”

Juckem replaces Brent Brase, who spent 11 seasons with the Kohawks and compiled a record of 146-131. Coe was 14-13 in 2004-05 and advanced to the semifinals of the Iowa Conference tournament.

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