Kramer Soderberg: Son of coaching legend looking to carve his own path in the sport
DECATUR, Ill. — The Millikin University Division III basketball program is now under the command and leadership of longtime assistant coach Kramer Soderberg. The Director of Athletics, Dr. Craig White, announced back in April that Kramer would be the new men鈥檚 head coach after spending six years as the top assistant for the Big Blue.
Kramer is the son of longtime college coach Brad Soderberg who is currently the Director of Scouting at the University of Virginia. Brad鈥檚 most notable stints, both as an assistant and head coach, took place at South Dakota State University, the University of Wisconsin and Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri, where Kramer grew up.
Influenced by his father鈥檚 profession, Kramer grew up around the game of basketball working tirelessly to excel at the game which translated to his successful high school career at St. Charles West. Kramer led the Warriors to four conference titles, two district championships and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in 2008. He had arguably his best year as a senior, averaging 24.6 points and 4.2 assist per game while also shooting 46% from three point range. Kramer鈥檚 jersey was retired after helping the team to a 100-18 record in his four years with the program and is recognized as one of the best players ever to suit up for the squad.
After graduating, Kramer would commit to the University of Miami Ohio where he鈥檇 play two seasons before transferring to NCAA Division II school Lindenwood University. This is where he would finish his collegiate career under the coaching guidance of his father.
Kramer had a stellar career at Lindenwood University, receiving a number of accolades during his time there. He was named first team All-Conference and awarded Heart of America Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year after averaging 17 points per game in his first season.
Kramer was considered one of the best jump shooters in the conference, averaging 47.8% from the field, 40.9% from three-point range and 87.7% from the free-throw line. His 1,148 points while at Lindenwood is seventh all-time in school history after just two years in the program, making him one of the best players to put on a Lions uniform.
After graduating in 2012, Kramer started his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at Lindenwood University where in his second season, he helped the team to a 19-7 record. This was just one win away from winning the conference title in the program鈥檚 first year as a Division II school competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Prior to that, they were a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Kramer moved on to Millikin University in 2015, where he served as the top assistant coach for the past six seasons. Now that he has been hired as the head coach, Kramer is dedicated in changing the losing culture of the team. The team has not had a winning record since the 2008-09 season, so they are desperately looking for Kramer to turn the Big Blue into a winning program.
Kramer is a father and husband and considers his faith in Jesus Christ as the driving force that keeps him dedicated to his passion as a leader of men. He comes from the coaching tree of his father who himself was taught by Wisconsin legend Dick Bennett, both of whom hold winning records in their coaching careers. With this pedigree, Kramer has the chance to follow in his father鈥檚 footsteps as an exceptional head coach. Only time will tell if this can start as the leader of the Big Blue.
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