Coach Paula Krueger enters her third year as head softball and assistant women's basketball coach for NSU. She still isn't that far removed from knowing what it's like to battle on the playing fields in a Wolves uniform.
Krueger finished up a stellar softball and basketball career at Northern in 1994. Aside from helping the Wolves to two NAIA Division II National Championships and a runner-up finish in basketball, Krueger was a team captain and an All-District 12 selection in softball. A scholar athlete, she earned NSU's prestigious Hildred Wolfe Athlete of the Year her senior year.
After her athletic career, Krueger stepped outside the playing lines - but not very far. She served as a graduate assistant at Northern in 1995 and 1996 for women's basketball and softball while finishing up her studies. Krueger received her Bachelor's degree in education in 1995 and her Master's in teaching in 1996.
After graduation, she landed a job as secondary physical education teacher at Pahrump Valley High School in Nevada. While there, she was the assistant varsity girls basketball coach, and was the sprinters coach during track season.
When opportunity at Northern knocked again, Krueger answered again. Her players reap the rewards of receiving direction from someone who has been in and succeeded in their shoes.
Krueger is married to one of the most dedicated Northern State University supporters, Brad Krueger.
Tom Gulak enters his first season as a graduate assistant on NSU's volleyball and women's softball team. Gulak received his bachelor's in education from the University of Manitoba in 1999 and will pursue his master's at NSU.
"I look forward to a great year in Aberdeen," Gulak said. "The athletic department at NSU puts the right emphasis on the right part of an athlete's whole development."
College: Led team in doubles (10) and fielding percentage (.982) last season ... was also second at the plate (.337 batting average) ... all-conference selection as a freshman ... academic all-conference performer ... nominated to President's Scholar List and Dean's List.
High School: Big Nine All-Conference ... honor student ... Hard Worker Team Award ... hometown Austin, Minn.
College: Started every game at third base in first season ... had the least number of strike-outs last season with 7 ... nominated to the President's list.
High School: Made the 1998 South Dakota All-Star volleyball team and the state tournament team ... four-sport athlete (softball, basketball, volleyball, track) ... academic all-state selection ... hometown Rapid City, SD.
College: Co-captain ... led team in runs scored (21), on-base percentage (.391) and home runs (3) in 1999 ... earned NSIC Player of the Week honors as a freshman.
High School: Target Leadership award winner and All-Star athlete for excellence in softball, basketball and volleyball ... our-time all-conference and three-time all-section softball player ... hometown Oronoco, Minn.
High School: Three-sport athlete and co-captain (softball, volleyball, basketball) ... all-conference four years ... all-region two years ... honorable mention and all-conference volleyball ... member of National Honors Society ... hometown Oronoco, Minn.
College: Saw significant time as catcher and DH in first season ... second highest fielding percentage in 1999 (.968).
High School: Three-sport athlete (softball, volleyball, basketball) ... captain of volleyball team ... hometown Plymouth, Minn.
High School: Four-sport athlete (softball, basketball, volleyball, track) ... academic all-state basketball and track ... also involved in band ... hometown Yankton, SD.
College: Co-captain ... second on team in put-outs (74) and on-base percentage (.371) last season ... earned NSIC Player of the Week honors last season.
High School: All-state softball player in 1996 ... All Sub-Section Tourney honors in 1994 and 1995 ... all-conference volleyball pick ... hometown Urbank, Minn.
College: Became starting first baseman in her first season at Northern ... led team in putouts with 216.
High School: Honor roll student ... played softball and volleyball ... hometown Eagan, Minn.
High School: Five-sport athlete (softball, volleyball, track, basketball, golf) ... softball and basketball co-captain ... all-conference and all-tourney senior year volleyball ... defensive MVP basketball ... academic all-state ... hometown Spearfish, SD.
High School: Three-sport athlete (softball, basketball, volleyball) ... two-year softball captain ... first-team all-state junior year ... second-team all-state senior year ... member of SADD and National Honors Society ... hometown Reno, Nev.
College: Looks to start in right field this season ... served as a pinch runner; batted .333 in limited plate duty.
High School: Three-sport athlete in high school (volleyball, basketball, track) ... hometown Redfield, SD.
College: All-conference selection in 1999 ... led team in bat ting average (.355) and RBI's (22) last season ... 10th in NSIC conference batting at .370 ... Academic all-conference selection ... student ambassador.
High School: Co-athlete of the year ... academic all-state ... two-time all-conference and gold glove selection ... team MVP ... also made All-Section and All-Area teams ... hometown Emmons, Minn.
College: Also plays basketball for the Wolves.
High School: Four-sport athlete (softball, basketball, volleyball, track) ... basketball and volleyball co-captain ... hometown Rapid City, SD.
College: Returning co-captain ... posted team-low ERA of 2.39 with 5-5 record ... NSIC Pitcher of the Week selection last season ... All-NSIC performer as freshman ... nominated to President's List and National Dean's List.
High School: All-conference, All-Metro, and All-State selection ... also an all-conference player in volleyball ... hometown St. Paul, Minn.