WAVERLY, Iowa—Luther College head softball coach, Renae Hartl, a 1999 Wartburg alum, has been named the 2013 John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year.

The Manson, Iowa native is the second woman to ever receive this award, the last being Cindy Suess in 2004-2005.

"It's just an honor," Hartl said. "There aren't many women that are able to create that balance between being a coach, wife and mother and I'm so thankful for this opportunity."

During her 13 seasons at Luther College, Hartl has coached three consecutive 40 plus win seasons and has made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA National Championship Finals, placing fifth in 2010, 2012 and 2013 and seventh in 2011.

Hartl is honored as two-time Iowa Conference Coach of the Year (2007, 2012) and four-time Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year from 2010-2013.

Her coaching at Luther College has led to 51 All-Iowa Conference players, two Conference MVP's, 46 All-Midwest Region players and 15 All-Americans.

Hartl was also selected to serve on the NCAA Division III Softball Committee in 2012.

Luther's 2013 national tournament appearance was its 14^th in school history and sixth in the past seven years.

"I do love to win; but the longer I've coached the more I've realized that it's just icing on the cake," Hartl said. "I love creating relationships with such incredible young ladies and being given the opportunity to help these girls become the best players, students and people they can be."

Hartl received her Bachelors Degree of Psychology and Physical Education from Wartburg College and played softball and volleyball. She continued on to receive her Master's Degree in Sports Psychology at Minnesota State-Mankato and began her coaching career as assistant softball and volleyball coach at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.

"I realized I wanted to be a coach while at Wartburg," Hartl said. "I would like to thank Coach Kurtt and all of the Wartburg administration. Coach Kurtt is a true inspiration to have around Wartburg and it's a blessing to have him a part of the Wartburg community."

The John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year award has been given to a college alumni involved in coaching in either the high school or collegiate ranks each year since 1962. A final presentation of this award will be given at a later date.

 

PAST RECIPIENTS
2012- Nick Mitchell	1993- John Kurtt	1974- Waldo Platte
2011- Bob Nielson	1992- Bret Hoyer	1973- Merlyn Thorsen
2010- Corey Carlson	1991- Dave Arns	1972- Roger Kittleson
2009- Marty Thomae	1990- Tom Manchester	1971- Jim Borcherding
2008- Rick Brooks	1989- Scott Brees	1970- Don Riggenberg
2007- Kori Stoffregen	1988- Mark Guthrie/Diane Paynter	1969- Chuck Nichol
2006- Doug Hall	1987- Tom Schleicher	1968- Eldon Ott
2004-05 Cindy Suess	1986- Gerald Heying	1967- Stan Kittleson
2003- Tom Lilly	1985- Larry Moklestad	1966- Paul Bruns
2002- Ross Grafft	1984- Bill Nelson	1965- Roger Klingman
2001- Jack Denholm	1983- Roger Buchholz	1964- John Kurtt
2000- Bob Mudd	1982- Bob Bye	1963- Arnold Brandt
1999- Dick Basham	1981- Reece Morgan	1962- Maynard Mitgaard
1998- Stu Fritz	1980- Jim Arjes
1997- Bob Bunting	1978- Larry Strom/Jim Hotz/ Steve Kohn
1996- Don Oleson	1977- Larry Niemann
1995- Bob Nielson	1976- Virg Erickson
1994- Larry Croghan	1975- Roger Zehr