Vande Hoef Announces Her Retirement From Basketball

Council Bluffs, Iowa – Iowa Western women's basketball Head Coach Lindsey Vande Hoef announced her retirement from basketball on Monday after seven seasons as the Reivers head coach.   "An opportunity has presented itself for me as the Development Director with the American Heart Association, where I hope that I can continue to make a difference in people's lives," said Vande Hoef.  "It was a very difficult decision to leave IWCC and the coaching profession, but at this time it is in the best interest for myself and my family to focus on the next phase of our lives."

Vande Hoef leaves after 19 years of coaching basketball.  She began her coaching career as an assistant at perennial NAIA Division II power Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2004 to 2005. She became a graduate assistant at the University of Sioux Falls from 2005 to 2007, then spent four seasons as an assistant coach with Iowa Western under Jim Turgeon from 2007 to 2011.  She was named the head coach at NCAA DIII Wisconsin at Lakeland University in 2011 and spent four seasons at the helm of their program. 

"I would like to thank Coach Vande Hoef for her years of service and commitment to Iowa Western Women's Basketball," said Iowa Western Athletic Director Shane Larson.  "I have enjoyed working with her since my arrival to Council Bluffs and we are very sorry to see her leaving. We want to wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors as she transitions to her new career outside of coaching."

Vande Hoef compiled a record of 160-50 in her time with the Reivers and owns an overall head coaching record of 209-104.  Vande Hoef led her Reiver squads to three Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Region XI titles and two district titles, leading to a pair of NJCAA national tournament appearances.  

Vande Hoef has produced nine NJCAA All-Americans and 30 ICCAC All-Region players, including four ICCAC Players of the Year.  IWCC has also had 27 NJCAA All-Academic performers and an impressive 72 Academic All-Region student-athletes since her arrival in 2015.

Said Vande Hoef, "As I reflect on my time at IWCC, it has been some of the most rewarding and wonderful experiences for me and my family.  I want to thank everyone who has given such unbelievable support to me during my 19 years of coaching, especially these last seven years as the head coach of the Reiver Women's Basketball program. Coaching has provided me with incredible memories and the opportunity to coach such amazing players over the years.  I have enjoyed getting to know many tremendous colleagues, parents, and fellow coaches along this journey as well.  I want to thank all of you who have supported me and I will miss the Reiver family so much."