Joplin, Mo. - Missouri Southern Athletics Director Jared Bruggeman has announced that interim women's basketball head coach Ronnie Ressel will continue to lead the program.
"Coach Ressel has proven that he has the coaching skills, dedication, work ethic and strong relationship with the student-athletes, administration, coaches and staff during a challenging year plagued with injuries," said Bruggeman. "We are pleased to announce that he will continue to lead the program."
Coach Ressel spent last season as the interim head coach for the women's basketball program following three years as the associate head coach. During his time on the women's basketball sidelines the Lions have advanced to four straight MIAA Post-Season tournaments. Coach Ressel has also coached a three-time All-MIAA selection in Sharese Jones and a two-time All-MIAA selection in Deb Holcomb.
"Extremely honored and excited about the opportunity to lead the women's basketball program here at Missouri Southern.," said Ressel. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Jared Bruggeman and President Marble for this opportunity. This is a dream come true for me to come back to my alma mater and be the head coach".
Prior to moving over to the women's basketball staff, Coach Ressel was an assistant coach for the men's program under Robert Corn for 11 years. In those 11 years with the Lions, Ressel helped the team to a 204-145 record, including 11-straight appearances in the MIAA Postseason Tournament. The Lions played in the conference tournament title game in 2005 and again in 2011. He was elevated to the position of men's Associate Head Coach in 2010-11, and was instrumental with his help in development of the guards and overall program at Southern. Former Lion Skyler Bowlin was the MIAA's Player and Defender of the Year in 2011, and was a four-time member of the MIAA's All-Defensive team. He is the Lions' all-time leader in three-pointers and ranks fourth all-time in scoring and second in free-throw percentage. He was selected to three different All-American teams, while being named All-Region and the Region Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for National Player of the Year.
At Rend Lake College, Ressel produced a record of 118-92 and was named Great Rivers Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1996. A year later, Ressel led Rend Lake to a GRAC co-championship.
Also during his stint at Rend Lake, he served as assistant softball coach and coordinator of the Rend Lake Fitness Center. Since 1997, he had served as Region 24 Women's Basketball Division I Committee Chairman.
Prior to taking over Rend Lake's women's program, he served as assistant men's basketball coach from 1992-95 after serving one season as a student assistant for Lions head coach Robert Corn in 1991-92.
Ressel enjoyed his share of success throughout his playing and coaching careers. A two-year letterman at Missouri Southern, he averaged 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He led the Lions in assists in both the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons and was awarded the Don Gross Leadership Award following his senior campaign.
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