WAVERLY, Iowa—Tiffany (Treanor) Pins, a 2005 Wartburg alum, has been named the 2018 John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year.
"John Kurtt was an outstanding coach and mentor in our athletic department, and is someone who has impacted so many people," said Pins. "Being selected for this award is an honor. I have worked hard to surround myself with people who believe in me and my vision. There are so many who have helped me get to this place in my career. I am thankful for the players and assistant coaches that been a part of the program. They are one of the biggest reasons I am where I am at today. I can't say it enough, I feel so proud to say I graduated from Wartburg and so blessed to be leading the women's soccer program."
Pins has served as Wartburg's head women's soccer coach since 2011. She has coached four Conference MVPs, 11 All-Region honorees, and three All-Americans. Pins was named the Conference Coach of the Year and the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2015.
The Knights have made five appearances in the NCAA Tournament, which includes two-straight (2017 and 2018). The Orange and Black advanced as far as the Sweet Sixteen round in 2015.
"Throughout my time at Wartburg, I have always been surround by people who worked hard and who love Wartburg," she said. "Wartburg is such a community that supports each other and we want to see everyone be successful. In my soccer program, I have tried to create the same type of environment. My hope is that our soccer program will be filled with women who work hard every day, who love what they are doing and support each other. If we are doing that I feel we are being successful."
The Dubuque, Iowa native was named All-Conference in her senior season, and led the team to a 16-3-1 record that year. Pins moved into the assistant coach role after graduation, and helped lead two teams that reached 10-or-more victories including a 14-6 mark in 2005.
"I have so many great memories from Wartburg, but my favorite has to be the family it has given me," she said. "Wartburg is the place I met my husband who is the most supportive and wonderful man. It is also the place I made some of my best friends. Not to mention I got to go to college with my sister who played volleyball here! My soccer experience as a player was amazing. I had the best teammates and coaches. Even though back then we were building towards greatness, we knew we had something really special. We always played for each other and we played to make the program better. We just all had so much fun together. Being around such hard working, strong, confident young women really help shape the woman I am today. My time at Wartburg was such a great time in my life because of all the wonderful people it gave me."
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. John Kurtt will present the award to Tiffany Pins prior to a soccer game this fall.
"From a very young age I always knew I wanted to be teacher and coach," said Pins. "However, I never even thought about being a college coach until Jim Conlon introduced the idea to me. I am so thankful he saw something in me and gave me the opportunity to work with the program right after graduation. Honestly, I have been so inspired by so many coaches. Every day, I get the chance to be surrounded by such great coaches in our Wartburg Athletic Department. The three head coaches I worked for as an assistant, Jim Conlon, Scott Schara, and Gail Murphy have and will always been biggest mentors. They taught me so much about how to be a great leader and soccer coach. However, my dad is the best coach I have ever been around. He was the first one to show me the qualities of a great coach and what a servant leader looks like. My dad is someone I have always looked up to and has inspired me in my coaching career."
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PAST RECIPIENTS
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1999- Dick Basham
1998 - Stu Fritz
1997 - Bob Bunting
1996 - Don Oleson
1995 - Bob Nielson
1994 - Larry Croghan
1993 - John Kurtt
1992 - Bret Hoyer
1991 - Dave Arns
1990 - Tom Manchester
1989 - Scott Brees
1988 - Mark Guthrie/Diane Paynter
1987 - Tom Schleicher
1986 - Gerald Heying
1985 - Larry Moklestad
1984 - Bill Nelson
1983 - Roger Buchholz
1982 - Bob Bye
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1981 - Reece Morgan
1980 - Jim Arjes
1978 - Larry Strom/Jim Hotz/Steve Kohn
1977 - Larry Niemann
1976 - Virg Erickson
1975 - Roger Zehr
1974 - Waldo Platte
1973 - Merlyn Thorsen
1972 - Roger Kittleson
1971 - Jim Borcherding
1970 - Don Riggenberg
1969 - Chuck Nichol
1968 - Eldon Ott
1967 - Stan Kittleson
1966 - Paul Bruns
1965 - Roger Klingman
1964 - John Kurtt
1963 - Arnold Brandt
1962 - Maynard Mitgaard
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