NORMAL, Ill. - After spending the last decade at the helm of the Illinois State women's soccer program, head coach Pete Kowall has resigned the post, effective immediately.
Kowall recognized the difficulty of the decision, but cited it was best for his family and professional development.
"In general the job is pretty demanding, and we spend a lot of time both on and off the field preparing each week," said Kowall. "At this juncture of my life, after 19 years of coaching, I think its time for me to commit to my family and move on to other areas that I'm interested in. My goals are a little bit different, but I still have a passion for soccer and the sport will always be a big part of my life.
"The biggest thing I will miss is working with the motivated young women I have had the opportunity to coach," continued Kowall. "They are so committed to the sport and we all have the same passion for the success of Illinois State soccer. I will truly miss working with the team on a daily basis, but I may someday return to collegiate coaching. Right now, my goals have shifted a bit and I'm choosing to spend more time with my family."
Kowall cited the people he worked with as the true strength of the Illinois State athletic department.
"When Linda Herman hired me 10 years ago, I remember her telling me that the best thing about Illinois State is the people and she was right," Kowall concluded. "From the administration, to my assistants and those that do the things to get us on the field everyday, the people at ISU have made this job so gratifying."
Since joining the Redbird team in 1997, Kowall has spent the last 10 years establishing the program as one of the top in the Missouri Valley Conference. Under his direction the `Birds have posted winning seasons in eight of the last 10 years, as Kowall owns a 153-83-21 career head coaching record, while posting an impressive 104-63-20 all-time record at Illinois State.
His remarkable record at Illinois State includes league coach of the year awards in 1998 and 2001, and regular-season championships in 1998, 1999, and 2003. For six straight seasons from 1998-2003, the `Birds finished first or second in the regular-season conference standings. Additionally, ISU is one of just three Valley schools to participate in each State Farm MVC Tournament. A 1986 graduate of Western Michigan, Kowall's career rose to an all-time high in 2003, when his veteran squad held off Creighton in a shootout in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship to advance to the program's first NCAA Tournament.
Most recently, Kowall's Redbirds posted a 6-9-3 record in 2006, losing to Missouri State, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Oct. 29. Kowall has coached countless all-conference soccer players at ISU and on Oct. 25 seven of his former players were named to the Missouri Valley Conference's All-Centennial Women's Soccer Team. With seven selections, Illinois State had more players named to the team than any other league team.
Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger acknowledged Kowall's contribution and dedication to ISU athletics.
"During his tenure at Illinois State, Pete has molded the Redbird women's soccer program from its infant stage to a perennial Missouri Valley Conference contender," said Zenger. "His loyalty and commitment to our university, department and the sport of women's soccer will be missed and I wish him nothing but the best of luck in his future endeavors."
