Soderberg named men’s basketball coach at Olivet College

Kurt Soderberg has been named Olivet College's head men's basketball coach according to an announcement by President Don Tuski. He begins his duties June 1 and will also serve as an instructor in the college's Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport Department.

Soderberg has been the men's basketball coach at Northland College in Ashland, Wisc., the last two years.

"We are extremely pleased to have Kurt joining the Olivet family," said Tuski. "His coaching and recruiting philosophy fits well with the college's goal of developing responsible students. I am confident that under his leadership, our student-athletes will excel on- and off-the-court and our men's basketball program will reach new heights."

While at Northland, Soderberg also served as the college's athletic recruiting coordinator, an admissions representative and was a member of the athletic advisory committee.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead Olivet College's men's basketball program," said Soderberg. "Olivet's philosophy and my philosophy, I believe, are an excellent fit. I am going to recruit student-athletes who exhibit great character and want to be a part of something special. Our program will have a family-like atmosphere and it will be something the entire community can be very proud of."

Prior to coaching at Northland, Soderberg was the head boys' basketball coach at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisc. During his five seasons (1997-2002) there, he led the Hilltoppers to an overall record of 84-29. For the 1998-99 campaign, his squad went 21-3 and won the Greater Metro Conference Championship and Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship. The Hilltoppers also won the conference title during the 1997-98 and 1999-2000 seasons. Soderberg was named the Greater Metro Conference Coach of the Year following the 1999-2000 campaign.

Soderberg's coaching career also includes serving as head boys' basketball coach at Greenfield High School in Wisconsin, an assistant coach at Coe College in Iowa and a graduate assistant coach at South Dakota State University (SDSU).

A native of Marshfield, Wisc., Soderberg earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1993 and a master's degree in health, physical education and recreation from SDSU in 1995. His family includes wife, Paula, and children Kennedy (6), Will (3) and Griffin (2).

Olivet finished the 2003-04 season with an overall record of 11-15 and was 5-7 (fifth-place) in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.