Millikin names kiick as new softball coach

Reprinted with permission from Millikin University Sports Information

DECATUR, Ill. -- Millikin University is proud to announce that Debbie Kiick will become the school’s first full-time head softball coach. Kiick will also continue to serve as the head coach of the Millikin Volleyball team, beginning her seventh season in 2007.

A proven winner on both the volleyball court and the softball field, Kiick will look to her past coaching accomplishments to elevate the softball program. With 12 seasons of high school softball coaching under her belt, including Mount Zion (1982-83) and Warrensburg-Latham (1992-01), Kiick compiled a 168-67 (.715) record. She has coached 29 years of summer softball ranging from age group teams to traveling competitive leagues, developed a traveling fast pitch youth league and has given pitching lessons.

“Debbie Kiick has proven herself a winner as the Millikin volleyball coach, and her history of success in softball as a coach and accomplished Division I athlete give her the experience, credentials and leadership to help this team challenge for a conference championship.” Kerans said. “Reorganization within the Athletic and Exercise Science departments has allowed us to give our softball student-athletes the opportunity to be coached by a full-time athletic department staff member. In its 25-year history, the women’s softball head coach has always been a part-time position, but I believe it is in the best interest of the student athletes and the program to have the attention of a full-time staff member.”

“Millikin has a rich tradition of quality athletic programs,” Kiick said. “The softball team is filled with talented and committed young women and new recruits. I’m very excited about the challenge of taking this traditionally strong program to even greater heights.”

As a player, Kiick suited up for the varsity softball team at Eastern Illinois University from 1976-80 and played for and trained under current Illinois State head coach Melinda Fisher. She has also been mentored by Warrensburg native Margie Wright, a former professional pitcher, pitching coach for the first Olympic softball team and current head coach of Fresno State University.

On the volleyball court, Kiick wrapped up her sixth season with the Big Blue in 2006 with a 23-14 record after leading the team to the first NCAA appearance of her career in 2005. Prior to joining the Millikin staff in 2001, Kiick served as the head volleyball and softball coach at Warrensburg-Latham High School for 11 seasons. Her Cardinals volleyball teams went 275-83 and Kiick earned Macon County Volleyball Coach of the Year honors four times.

Kiick replaces Jim Mills, who served the University as its part-time softball coach for 16 years.

Located in Decatur, Illinois, Millikin University is a coed, independent university with approximately 2,400 full-time students from 33 states and 13 foreign countries. The University awards degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Science, Fine Arts, Music, Science in Nursing and also offers a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing.

The Millikin community enjoys a broad and successful athletics program. The Big Blue competes in 20 NCAA collegiate sports at the Division III level. The University’s teams and individuals have earned national recognition in nearly every sport offered at Millikin.