BRODHEAD - There will be a new head softball coach in Brodhead next spring. Steve Krupke resigned after 12 years of leading the Cardinals.
The Brodhead School Board accepted Krupke's resignation Wednesday night.
"It takes a lot of work to keep a program at the level the Brodhead softball program is at," Krupke said in an interview Wednesday on his way to a men's fastpitch game that he was pitching in at Middleton. "I have found that I don't have the energy to put into the program like I used to have. I always told myself that I wanted to leave on my terms. I wanted to go out on good terms and not be forced out."
Krupke helped guide the Cardinals to a 20-5 record this year and a second straight sectional berth. He said he wants to spend more time with family, since he has a son who will be two in September.
"I have always had in my mind family first," he said. "To the best of my knowledge, I think people were happy with the job I did."
Brodhead hasn't made an official announcement on who will replace Krupke as head coach next year. However, Krupke endorses his assistant coach B.J. Bockhop.
"I'm confident if he gets to take over the program he will do a great job," Krupke said. "I have a lot of faith in him. He's younger than me and has a lot of energy."
Krupke said he will still work with developing pitchers in younger softball leagues. Krupke said that he could still work as a pitching coach at the varsity level if the new coach wanted him.
"I have a passion for pitching," he said. "I fully intend to work with pitchers. I start working with pitchers in fifth grade."
He will always remember the players, assistant coaches and parent supporters that have backed the program.
"I have been blessed with good athletes who have a passion for softball," Krupke said. "That makes winning easier. I had great assistants, kids and parental support."
Even though Krupke still plans to continue working on developing pitchers, when the calendar turns to spring and the first softball practice, there could be some mixed feelings.
"Ten months from now, I may be regretting my decision," he said. "It feels right now. I don't want to wake up one day and find out that my 2 year-old son is in high school and find out I missed a few things."
Krupke compiled a career record of 203-63, eight conference titles, four regional titles, and a state title in 2004.
The Brodhead School Board accepted Krupke's resignation Wednesday night.
"It takes a lot of work to keep a program at the level the Brodhead softball program is at," Krupke said in an interview Wednesday on his way to a men's fastpitch game that he was pitching in at Middleton. "I have found that I don't have the energy to put into the program like I used to have. I always told myself that I wanted to leave on my terms. I wanted to go out on good terms and not be forced out."
Krupke helped guide the Cardinals to a 20-5 record this year and a second straight sectional berth. He said he wants to spend more time with family, since he has a son who will be two in September.
"I have always had in my mind family first," he said. "To the best of my knowledge, I think people were happy with the job I did."
Brodhead hasn't made an official announcement on who will replace Krupke as head coach next year. However, Krupke endorses his assistant coach B.J. Bockhop.
"I'm confident if he gets to take over the program he will do a great job," Krupke said. "I have a lot of faith in him. He's younger than me and has a lot of energy."
Krupke said he will still work with developing pitchers in younger softball leagues. Krupke said that he could still work as a pitching coach at the varsity level if the new coach wanted him.
"I have a passion for pitching," he said. "I fully intend to work with pitchers. I start working with pitchers in fifth grade."
He will always remember the players, assistant coaches and parent supporters that have backed the program.
"I have been blessed with good athletes who have a passion for softball," Krupke said. "That makes winning easier. I had great assistants, kids and parental support."
Even though Krupke still plans to continue working on developing pitchers, when the calendar turns to spring and the first softball practice, there could be some mixed feelings.
"Ten months from now, I may be regretting my decision," he said. "It feels right now. I don't want to wake up one day and find out that my 2 year-old son is in high school and find out I missed a few things."
Krupke compiled a career record of 203-63, eight conference titles, four regional titles, and a state title in 2004.
