Story by Midland Athletics

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland (Neb.) Head Softball Coach Keith Kramme recorded his 500th career victory on Saturday afternoon, as the Warriors defeated Dordt (Iowa), 7-6, in the opener of a doubleheader at Christensen Field. Kramme is in his 19th season as head coach of the Warriors, and owns a 500-465-1 career record.

“I've been blessed to coach a lot of great players that have contributed to this milestone,” said Kramme. “It’s been a privilege to represent Midland University for all these years. I hope that I’ve been able to impart some knowledge onto the young women that I have coached over the years. Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the administration and my family along with all of the fantastic assist coaches who have stood by my side on the field in the past and present.”

Kramme currently ranks 20th among active NAIA coaches in wins, and is second in the GPAC to Morningside’s Jessica Jones-Sitzmann (529-298), who is in her 16th season as head coach.

From 2001-2005, the Warriors earned five consecutive berths into the NAIA Region IV Tournament, advancing to the championship game of the regional tournament each year from 2002-2005. Midland finished as runner-up in the regional tournament in 2002, 2004 and 2005, and they were crowned NAIA Region IV champions in 2003. The ’03 Warriors earned the school’s first ever berth into the NAIA National Softball Championship Tournament. The Warriors also qualified for the NAIA Region III Tournament in 2007 and 2008.

Kramme, who is a 1987 graduate of Midland, has served in numerous roles at the institution on top of his head coaching duties. He is currently the Director of Athletic Retention and Compliance, and has served in the past as the interim Athletic Director as well as the Sports Information Director during his tenure at Midland. 

Beginning in 2005, Kramme began a five-year appointment on the NAIA-SCA Executive Committee and he served as the President of the NAIA-SCA in 2008-09. He has also served as the GPAC Chairperson, the conference rater, a regional rater and as a national rater.

Coach Kramme and his wife, Lisa, live in Fremont and have a daughter, Mattie, and a son, Jesse, who both attend Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.