Northwood Names Jeff Rekeweg Men's Basketball Head Coach

MIDLAND, Mich. - The Northwood University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the hiring of Jeff Rekeweg as Men's Basketball Head Coach.

Rekeweg (pronounced reck-a-way) becomes the ninth head coach in the 51-year history of the program.

"We are thrilled to have Jeff join Northwood University," said Athletic Director Pat Riepma. "He has had a great deal of success both on the court and in the classroom with his players."

Prior to Northwood, Rekeweg was the head coach at Saint Francis (Fort Wayne). The 2010 NAIA National Coach of the Year, Rekeweg guided the Cougars to the school's first National Championship last season. He holds every coaching record at St. Francis, including career victories (265) and wins in a season (31). During his time at USF, the team has posted seven 20-win seasons, 10 NAIA All-Americans and 20 NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Rekeweg's team won at least 14 games in 12 of his 14 seasons and reached the NAIA Tournament three times. He was named Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) Coach of the Year three times, leading a total of 46 players to All-MCC honors.

Rekeweg arrived at Saint Francis after serving as an assistant coach at Danville Community College for two seasons. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at DeKalb (Ill.) High School.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Rekeweg played for the Cornhuskers from 1986-88. He was a tri-captain his senior year when he led the team in field goal percentage and free throw percentage while starting every game. Rekeweg also played a pair of seasons professionally, spending one year in Europe before finishing his playing career in the California Pro-Am League.

"Northwood is very excited to bring in a coach the caliber of Jeff to our men's basketball program," said Dr. Keith A. Pretty, Northwood University president. "He brings championship experience to our school and we are looking forward to having him represent our university."

"We are delighted to have attracted Jeff Rekeweg to our athletic program at Northwood University," said Dr. David D. Long, provost of the Michigan Campus. "He brings a strength of successful teaching and management experience that will help our men's basketball program to a competitive level we expect all of our athletic teams to achieve."

Rekeweg and his wife, Rebecca, have six daughters: Ariana, Jordan, Grace, Emma, Jenna and Lila.