Hall induction caps Krejci’s ‘unlikely’ SWCC career

Bill Krejci was a young assistant baseball coach at Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson High School, after being a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State.

In the summer of 1978, Southwestern Community College athletic director Ron “Fox” Clinton asked Krejci if he was interested in taking over the SWCC baseball program.

“I liked him a lot, just his approach. I liked his baseball feel,” Clinton explained.

Little did a young Bill Krejci realize at the time that 37 years later he’d be standing in front of Clinton in the SWCC gym, joining him in the Southwestern Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Fox took a chance on a young, untested coach,” Krejci said during Saturday’s induction ceremony between basketball games in the SWCC Student Center Gymnasium. “Fox, I’m proud to join you in the Hall of Fame.”

Key colleague

Another key hire for Clinton a few years later was volleyball coach Rita Schroeder, who arrived on campus as a former SWCC athlete with no prior coaching experience. Recently, she was inducted into the NJCAA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Clinton, Krejci and Schroeder were the pillars of SWCC athletics for decades.

“Fox and Krejch were mentors to me,” Schroeder said. “They definitely influenced me, and we loved this place. Still do. I always though the world of Krejci. He’s got such a big heart. So good to people. But he’s all business, too. You need people like him in athletics.”

Krejci, now living in Ankeny as wife Teresa is associate vice president of finance at Drake University, thanked a number of other people in his address to the crowd.

Among them were administrators and faculty of the college, including Dr. Barb Crittenden, the current president; Registrar Sandy Webb, a 40-year employee of the college; retired administrator Paul Somers; “working partner” Tracey Evans, who escorted him to the induction; and his family in attendance — Teresa, son Michael and daughter Maria.

It was part of a banner day for SWCC athletics, as the women’s basketball team gained its first victory of the season over Simpson JV, 58-55, and the 11th-ranked SWCC men rebounded from their first loss in roling past William Penn JV, 86-67. (See full details in Tuesday’s News Advertiser.)

Another SWCC alumnus, Family Shoe Store owner Steve McCann, read the induction presentation. Beth Kulow, SWCC dean of student services, read a passage from Thom McDonald, commissioner of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference, that spoke of Krejci’s commitment to education and sportsmanship in intercollegiate athletics.

In his acceptance speech, Krejci thanked the former SWCC athletes and coaches in attendance.

“You shared your skills, you shared your life with me,” Krejci said, “and those are the things that I really cherish.”

He said he and Teresa are enjoying their “second life” in the Des Moines area, but his voice cracked with emotion as he spoke of his fondness for the college and the community.

“Teresa loves her job at Drake University and we’re enjoying our new life,” Krejci said. “But know this, my love affair with you will never end. I will always be thinking about Southwestern, about the people of Creston. And I truly appreciate this honor. God bless you all.”

Player returns

As the ceremony concluded, Krejci was surprised by the appearance of former player Matt Thompson, who returned to campus to succeed him as head coach in 1999. He now serves as a club development baseball coach in the Houston area of Texas.

Thompson shared stories about early-morning practices and Krejci’s “attempt” at speaking Spanish.

“It basically was just adding an ‘el’ at the beginning of everything, or ‘O’ at the end of everything,” Thompson said. “So, it was el-hit-O, el-Test-O. I’ll let you know, coach, that doesn’t work in Texas!”

But Thompson said through all of the experiences, Krejci taught them the value of compassion, hard work, dedication and loyalty.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say Bill Krejci inspired us all to be better people,” Thompson said.

“You forever changed my life,” he said, turning to Krejci. “So, to you I say congratulations on this honor. No one is more deserving. And, welcome to the El-SWCC-O Hall of Fame-O.”