Univ. of Great Falls hires Eric Van Kley as head coach
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Gary Abbott (Univ. of Great Falls Sports Information)
04/28/2004
Great Falls, Mont. - Eric Van Kley has been hired as the head coach for the new wrestling program at the Univ. of Great Falls. Van Kley has held successful positions at the NCAA Division I, high school and club levels. Van Kley was an assistant coach at Millersville University (Pennsylvania) from 2003-2004. During this time, Millersville had one of the greatest seasons in school history winning the Eastern Regional Tournament with four NCAA Division I National qualifiers. Millersville also won the Eastern Regional Dual Championship, placed second in the Virginia Duals, and had its highest finish ever at the prestigious Midlands Tournament. While in Pennsylvania, Coach Van Kley also worked as the Leadership Program Coordinator and assisted with operation and marketing of special events for the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). From 2000-2003, Van Kley was an assistant high school and club coach in The Dalles, Oregon. He coached three state champs, six state finalists, and twenty-five state qualifiers. Van Kley is a 2000 graduate of Minnesota State Univ. While competing for the nationally ranked Mavericks, he was captain of the team finishing 6th in Division II, a three-year letter winner, and 2000 Student-Athlete of the Year. He was also a Two-Time Academic All-American and Maverick Achievement honoree. Coach Van Kley and his wife Sarah are originally from Iowa.