BOONE, Iowa—It was announced earlier that DMACC Women’s Basketball Head Coach Steve Krafcisin would be taking retirement at the end of the season. Recently Krafcisin was honored for his commitment to the program and the students he coached.
DMACC Women’s Head Basketball Coach Steve Krafcisin receives a plaque from DMACC Boone Campus Provost Dr. Drew Nelson and DMACC Board member Fred Greiner of Boone for being the winningest coach in DMACC women’s basketball history. Krafcisin has announced his retirement following the conclusion of the 2021-22 basketball season. Joining in the applause is Steve’s wife, Joanne.
DMACC Athletics Director BJ McGinn and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Jocelyn Kovarik, along with Board member Fred Greiner and Boone Provost Dr. Drew Nelson, present a framed jersey of “Coach K” at the recognition ceremony.
Coach Krafcisin’s DMACC career began with the 2005-06 season. His career record heading into the 2021-22 season stands at 334-162, including a 164-57 record in home games through the end of 2021. Thirteen of his 17 teams have won 19 or more games in a season, including a 27-5 mark in 2016-17.
Nine of Krafcisin’s teams finished third or higher in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC), including five second-place finishes and 11 of his teams reached the semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI Women’s Basketball Tournament. Four of those teams made it to the championship game of the Region XI tournament.
Coach Steve Krafcisin acknowledges the Boone Campus crowd’s standing ovation.
Coach Krafcisin has coached five All-Americans during his tenure at DMACC. They include Jocelyn (Anderson) Kovarik, currently a DMACC assistant women’s basketball coach, in 2005-06 and 2006-07; Katelyn Wood in 2010-11; Carlee Schuhmacher in 2012-13 and 2013-14; London Vais in 2015-16; and Grace Flanagan in 2020-21.
Coach Krafcisin came to DMACC after serving as the men’s basketball coach at North Iowa Area Community College (NICAA) from 1997-2005. He served as an assistant coach at the University of North Dakota from 1994 to 1996 and twice served as an assistant coach for the Iowa State University (ISU) men’s basketball program, 1987-1994 and 1996-97. Krafcisin began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Loras College from 1984 to 1987.
Steve Krafcisin (right) is accompanied by his family, son Gabe; daughter, Grace; son, Jake and wife, Joanne at the retirement ceremony.
Coach Krafcisin’s teams have consistently ranked among the best in the nation in academics and since 2013 eight of his teams have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. His 2016-17 team led NJCAA Division II with a cumulative GPA of 3.54.
During his time at DMACC, Coach Krafcisin has seen 71 players earn all-region honors and 48 players have moved on to four-year women’s basketball programs. One hundred and eight of his players have earned academic all-region honors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
“Coach K” is the only NCAA basketball player to play in the Final Four with two different University teams.
(contributed article and photos, DMACC)
