May 28, 2003

Kreuser Tabbed as Basketball Assistant

Played at Truman, UTPA

      Kearney, NE – Kelli Kreuser (pronounced cruiser) is the new assistant women’s basketball coach at Nebraska-Kearney, it was announced today by head coach Carol Russell. Kreuser replaces Jon Will, who resigned last month.  

      “I am excited to have Kelli join our staff. Her knowledge of the game and playing experience will be a great asset to this program,” Russell said. “Kelli has a bright future in coaching and I look for her to make an immediate impact with her energy and enthusiasm.”

      Kreuser, a native of Bettendorf, Ia., played professional basketball this past year in Marburg, Germany. A 2002 graduate of Texas-Pan American, Kreuser played collegiality under Russell at both Truman State (Mo.) and at UTPA. In addition to playing, she was a woman’s basketball office assistant at both schools.

      Kreuser, a 5-11 guard, racked up many honors in her one year at Division I UTPA. She was named team MVP and was the Independent Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, she was UTPA’s Female Athlete and Newcomer of the Year for 2002. 

      A two-year captain of the Lady Broncs, Kreuser averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game for the 2001-02 season. She set a school record for assists in a single season (147) with her point total (451) being the fifth most in school lore.  

      At Truman, Kreuser was part of a major turnaround in the Bulldog program. A Kodak honorable mention All-American in 2000, she was the leading scorer (18.3) on a Truman squad that made the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in 1999. She was twice named first-team MIAA (Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and was a three-year member of the MIAA Commissioners Academic Honor Roll.

      As a senior at Davenport North High School in 1997, she was named the Quad City Times Athlete of the Year.

      UNK went 25-6 this past year, making its eight straight NCAA Tournament appearance and winning its sixth RMAC title.