Sioux City, Iowa – Two Northwestern College alumni have been honored with induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame.
The announcement came during the 2025 NAIA National Awards Day Announcement from the NAIA Office in Kansas City, Missouri.
NAIA Hall of Fame – Kris Korver, Northwestern (Iowa) Men’s Basketball – Coach Category
In 25 seasons as head men’s basketball coach at Northwestern College, Kris Korver compiled an impressive 574-225 record, ranking him 26th in all-time wins among current and former NAIA coaches and fourth among active coaches at the time of his retirement.
Since beginning his collegiate coaching career in 2000, Korver led his teams to two NAIA Division II national championships (2001, 2003), 19 NAIA tournament appearances, nine GPAC regular-season titles, and six GPAC tournament championships. His teams posted a 28-17 record in national tournament play, making the field in eight of his final nine seasons.
Throughout his tenure, 49 players earned All-American honors, and he coached one NAIA Player of the Year (Brandon Woudstra, 2003), along with multiple GPAC Players, Freshmen, and Defensive Players of the Year. Northwestern Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops described Korver as a “legend on the sidelines,” praising the intensity, precision, and lasting impact of his coaching.
Beyond basketball, Korver made a profound impact on the Northwestern College community. His leadership extended into mentorship and spiritual development, helping shape young men into faithful husbands, fathers, and leaders through what he called “healthy and Holy habits.” He founded “Monday Mornings for Men,” a weekly gathering that fostered Biblical growth and community among students and local men.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Korver served as a kinesiology instructor, teaching courses in coaching, leadership, and physical education, further contributing to the holistic development of his students both on and off the court.
NAIA Hall of Fame – Becca (Hurley) Kramer, Northwestern (Iowa) – Women’s Basketball – Athlete Category
Becca (Hurley) Kramer was a standout athlete for Northwestern College, earning first team All-American honors three times in women’s basketball and being named the NAIA National Player of the Year as a senior.
She set the school record for most steals in a season (102 in 2010–11) and ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in several categories: second in career steals (281), third in assists (534), and fourth in scoring (2,315 points). Kramer was named team MVP in each of her final three seasons and played a crucial role in leading the Raiders to three NAIA Division II national championships (2008, 2010, 2011).
In addition to her basketball accomplishments, she also played women’s soccer for Northwestern in 2008, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition.
After graduating in 2011 with a degree in Christian Education and Ministry, Kramer continued her involvement in basketball by playing two seasons with the Iowa Force (WBCBL) and serving as an assistant coach at Northwestern and Des Moines East High School. She was twice named NAIA national tournament MVP—in 2010 and 2011—and played an important supporting role as a freshman during the team’s 2008 title run.
Former Northwestern coach and athletic director Earl Woudstra praised her impact, noting her ability to uplift those around her both on and off the court with humility and compassion. Now living in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with her husband Jonathan (’12) and their five children, Kramer works as a physical education teacher at Joshua Christian Academy. She becomes the fifth Northwestern athlete inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, joining Lee McKinstrey, Rachel (Binneboese) Leavitt, Deb Remmerde-Leusink, and Brandon Woudstra.
KIWA Staff Photo
