November 30, 2007

Kroenke Named Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing/Promotions
18-Year Pittsburg State Staff Member to Leave Football Coaching for Support Staff Role

    PITTSBURG -- Pittsburg State University athletic director Chuck Broyles announced today (Nov. 30) that Bill Kroenke has been appointed as Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions after serving as a member of the Gorillas football coaching staff the past 18 years, including the last 15 years as offensive line coach.
    Kroenke fills the vacant position created by the untimely death in July of former Pitt State staff member Tommy Riggs, who served the university for 10 years in the support staff role.
    As Assistant AD for Marketing/Promotions, Kroenke will oversee Pittsburg State University’s comprehensive licensing program, as well as handle advertising and corporate sponsorship programs for the department’s 13 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. He also will assist with scheduling, the administration of the annual Scholarship & Fund Drive as well as the coordination of special events.
    “Although I certainly have big shoes to fill, I’m very excited for this opportunity,” Kroenke said. “Pittsburg State University is a special place and I’m looking forward to helping our student-athletes in all of our sports succeed. I love coaching football and all the players I have been associated with. Now I have the chance to develop meaningful relationships with student-athletes beyond football, as well as with the campus and the community. The Gorilla family is all one big team and I’m looking forward to having a greater role in the athletic department as a whole.”
    “The search for a qualified replacement for Tommy has been a long and difficult process, but we’re very pleased with the end result,” Broyles said. “Bill has served the university very well as offensive line coach for the football team. He’s established himself as one of the premier offensive line coaches in the country, and he surely will be missed on the staff.
    “That said, Bill has a great passion for Pittsburg State University beyond coaching football and that contributed to him seeking out this position. His work ethic, coupled with his desire to see all the Gorillas teams succeed at a high level should help him make a smooth transition into this extremely important support staff role.”
    Kroenke, a native of Harrisonville, Mo., came to Pittsburg State University in 1990 after earning a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas in 1989. He first served as a graduate assistant football coach at Pitt State in 1990 while pursuing a master’s degree in secondary school administration. Kroenke became a full-time staff member in 1993, upon completion of his master’s degree. During his tenure on the Pitt State coaching staff, Kroenke has coached 28 All-MIAA players and 16 All-Americans, including 15 All-American offensive linemen in the last 15 seasons.
    Broyles indicated the school will begin a national search to fill its vacant offensive line coaching position on the Pitt State football staff.