New coach Lorensen takes over as SWCC AD

Todd Lorensen, Southwestern Community College’s new men’s basketball coach, has also been named the new athletic director and fundraiser.

Lorensen succeeds Bill Krejci in overseeing SWCC’s 13 sports and athletic fundraising efforts. He has a master’s degree in business administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb., and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand View University in Des Moines.

In the past year he was employed by Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant as head men’s basketball coach and assistant sports information director. Prior to that he was assistant men’s basketball coach for Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., for two years and assistant men’s basketball coach at University of Nebraska-Omaha for three years.

“He’s been in athletics for eight years at the college level at four schools,” Krejci said, speaking to Lorensen’s preparation for the new duties. “He really understands the college scenario, how to go out and raise money, things like that. The other thing is, he’s not inundated with daily work like teaching. Like me, he’ll have time to spend on it. Certain months are hectic when you’re coaching, but I just think he brings a lot of college experience and he’s seen a lot of different people operate in those roles.”

Lorensen, 29, agrees that he’s had opportunities to learn from good athletic administrators in his short career to date.

“No one comes in here and is able to replace coach Krejci,” Lorensen said. “I know that I have huge shoes to fill. Thankfully, he’s more than willing to help me through that process. I have the rest of this month with him here on campus, and after that I know he’ll be there to pick up the phone when I need something. He loves this community and this institution, and he’ll do everything he can to help me succeed.”

Krejci’s 36-year association with Southwestern will end after the home volleyball match on Aug. 27. He will then join wife Teresa in Des Moines, where she has begun duties in her new position at Drake University.

Krejci has been athletic director/fundraiser at the college since resigning as head baseball coach in September 1999.

During his time in this role he increased fundraising for athletics by establishing two annual events — the athletic fundraiser auction and the SWCC golf tournament — as well as establishment of the Southwestern Athletic Booster Club.

Those sources, as well as other events, annually generate more than $50,000 for athletics.

Other athletic director duties involve hiring and supervision of coaches, and supervision of home athletic events. That includes staffing them with mostly students on work-study contracts. Officials are assigned and scheduled through the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) contracts.

Lorensen said he was able to learn under the legendary Lou Yacinich and his successor, Troy Plummer, at Grand View. As well, he was at UNO when former University of Nebraska football player Trev Alberts took over as AD, coming off a background as student-athlete and in business, but no experience in athletic administration.

“I know I have a ton to learn,” Lorensen said. “But I’m very excited to get started.”