DE PERE – St. Norbert College softball coach JoAnn Krueger will retire at the conclusion of the 2025 season, she announced today.
 
Krueger, who will coach her 27th season this coming spring, started her head coaching tenure at St. Norbert in 1998. Her teams totaled 436 wins and her teams captured five conference championships. Krueger also served the athletics department as its equipment manager.
 
"I have made the very difficult and emotional decision to retire at the end of the 2025 season," Krueger said. "I have been very blessed to have had such a memorable and long career. The young ladies and their families who chose to be Green Knights have become such a big part of my life, where I have made so many wonderful friends. You have truly touched my life more than words can say. I also want to thank all my assistant coaches throughout the years, who have become dear friends. Our time together has flown by; thank you for your support and all the great memories.
 
"I would lastly like to thank my amazing family and my husband, Bill, who have supported me through all the ups and downs. I will always be a Green Knight and continue to support my friends and colleagues who do tremendous work here at the college.  Your support is beyond anything I could have ever expected."
 
St. Norbert's five conference titles under Krueger came under the Midwest Conference banner in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2017. All five of those teams advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The 2010 team finished a program-best 33-8 overall, an unbeaten 13-0 in MWC play and advanced to finish in third place in an eight-team NCAA Regional at UW-Whitewater.
 
Krueger's teams won 386 overall games and 178 conference games while St. Norbert was a member of the Midwest Conference, totals which are the second-most in league history in both categories.
 
"JoAnn embodies the spirit of St. Norbert College," St. Norbert athletics director Cam Fuller said. "Her dedication and selflessness in serving our student-athletes as both head softball coach and equipment manager have made our college a better place. She will forever be a Green Knight."
 
Fuller said postings for the head softball coach and equipment manager positions, which will both be full-time, will open in Spring 2025.