August 21, 2007
(release courtesy of Larry Happel, Central College sports information director)

PELLA, IOWA . . . Chris Pierson is the new Central College women’s golf coach.

Pierson will also serve as assistant men’s basketball coach while Joe Steinkamp, a junior varsity men’s basketball coach last year, moves up to become a varsity assistant.

Pierson succeeds Jodee Schaben as leader of the women’s golf program. Schaben, who has a doctoral degree in health promotion, accepted a faculty position in Central’s exercise science department but remains with the golf program as assistant coach after three years as head coach.

An honors graduate from William Penn University, Pierson received NAIA all-academic honors as a golfer for the Statesmen and was a junior golf instructor in Oskaloosa. He spent the past year also serving as co-head coach of the William Penn men’s junior varsity basketball squad.

“We’re excited about Chris Pierson’s potential as a golf coach,” athletics director Al Dorenkamp said. “He had a nice career as a college player. His references indicate he did a good job as a golf instructor and his coaching background in basketball will be helpful as well.”

Steinkamp moves up on basketball staff--Steinkamp becomes the top varsity assistant men’s basketball coach after two seasons as junior varsity assistant. A 2003 Central graduate, he was a two-time letterwinner and the team co-captain in 2002-03. He spent the 2003-04 year as a graduate assistant women’s basketball coach at Loras College while pursuing a master’s degree. He also served as a volunteer assistant at Lewis University (Ill.) in 2005-06.

“Joe’s an obvious choice,” coach Mike Boschee said. “He’s been in the program as a coach and he played here. It will be an easy transition. He’s a hard worker and very loyal. He’ll do a great job.”

Pierson will work with Central’s junior varsity program.

“Chris brings some valuable experience having served as a junior varsity coach at William Penn,” Boschee said. “He comes highly recommended by (William Penn coach) John Henry.”

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