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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Steve Stutzman

Steve Stutzman

Steve Stutzman recently completed his second season with Nebraska-Kearney softball as the program's top assistant coach. He was named Interim Head Coach in May 2019. 

Previously, he was UNK's Athletic Ticket Manager, assisted with Marketing and Promotions for four years and was an assistant UNK baseball assistant coach.  

The Lopers won 36 games over the 2018 and 2019 campaigns including 23 in MIAA play. Improving by three spots in the league standings in 2018 and seeing its MIAA win total increase each spring, Stutzman has helped coach 11 all-league players. That group includes 2019 MIAA Freshman of the Year Carlee Liesch who also garnered All-Central Region honors. 35448

Statistically the Lopers offense had nine players bat over .300 in 2019 with the team batting average increasing by 75 percentage points over a two-year period. UNK also has improved season tallies in doubles, homers runs scored while decreasing its strikeout-to-walk ratio. Finally, Stutzman helped improve the Loper defense over the past two years, leading to fewer errors and stolen bases by the opposition. 

The UNK and Hesston (Kan.) College graduate was elevated to full-time status in the Athletic Department in the summer of 2014. He began his duties as ticket manager in August of that year and was in charge in all phases of the Loper ticketing system. Stutzman also was a play-by-play announcer for UNK softball both on-line and for NRG media. 

During the 2014-15 season, Stutzman assisted then-Head Equipment Manager Philip Noah in outfitting all 17 Loper teams.Working with a new on-line ticketing partner, University Tickets, Stutzman helped increase Loper ticket sales to over $200,000 for the 2014-15 season, a 40% increase from the previous year. He helped design the season ticket books, as well as the individual tickets that are used for all UNK home events.  
 
During the basketball season, the “Loper Loonies” – a student athletic booster group – debuted. Stutzman helped conceptualized and established the organization, which is known for their creative and distractive ability to help with the home team atmosphere.

35449For four seasons (2011-14), Stutzman held a variety of duties with Loper baseball. He coached the outfielders and pitchers, developed redshirts and served as the Loper recruiting coordinator. In his time on the diamond, UNK won 108 games, reached the 2011 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and qualified for the 2013 MIAA Tournament.

For seven summers (2008-14), he served as head coach of the Casper (Wyo.) Cutthroats of the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League, the Wichita (Kans.) Wheat Kings of the Walter Johnson Baseball League and American Legion teams in Kearney, Shelton/Gibbon and Wood River.

In 2014, Stutzman led the Cutthroats to the league title to push his summer collegiate coaching mark to 94-37 (71.7 winning percentage). His Legion clubs had previously won conference and district titles as well as reaching the state tournament.

Holding a Master’s in Sports Administration from UNK, Stutzman has been as a substitute teacher in the Wood River and Shelton Public School Systems. He was tabbed a Future Teacher of the Year in 2010 (P.E.), 2011 (Health) and 2013 (Leadership). He also has served on the NAHPERD (Nebraska Association for Physical Education Recreation & Dance) Board for three years and led the 2012 NAHPED Student Conference.

Stutzman lives in Kearney with his wife, the former Taylor Fernau, and their two children.