Orange City, Iowa — Colton Kooima poured in a season-high 40 points in leading No.5 Northwestern to a 108-92 win over Presentation Tuesday night at the Bultman Center. The win was the 400th for head coach Kris Korver, who currently is ninth on the NAIA’s active win list. Korver owns a 400-152 record in his 16 years at Northwestern for a 72% win percentage. Northwestern improves to 5-0 as they head into their GPAC opener on Saturday afternoon against Doane. Presentation is now 2-3 on the year.
During his career, Korver has guided Northwestern to the national tournament 11 times, compiling an impressive 368-145 (.72) overall record, and is the winningest coach in the history of the program. Korver earned his 300th career win in the first game at the 2011-12 NAIA Division II national tournament, where his team defeated Tennessee Wesleyan. Korver has guided the Raiders to a 204-88 record (.700) in the GPAC.
Korver guided the Raiders to five national semifinals, most recently in 2007 and 2008, while his 2005 squad advanced to the national quarterfinals. Korver led his teams to the national title in 2001 and 2003. In addition, Korver was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 2001.
During his tenure, Korver’s teams have either shared or won the GPAC regular season title eight times, most recently in 2013 where they finished 17-3 in the conference, 24-7 overall. His teams won the title five straight years (2001-2005). The Red Raiders also captured the GPAC tournament championship four times (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2012). In addition, Korver has been named the GPAC Coach of the Year four times, most recently in 2013.
Korver has had the privilege of coaching 21 NAIA D-II All-Americans and one NAIA D-II Player of the Year. Under his tenure, 22 players have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes and the Raiders received NAIA Scholar Team honors three of the last four years.
“Character formation is the name of the game,” comments Korver. “We want young men to display character in everyday life and on the court. We view basketball as a tool for life transformation.”
Korver and his wife, Ann, have three children: Christian, Elizabeth and Luke. Aside from his basketball duties, Korver is an instructor in the kinesiology department.
