Former linebacker, current A.D. added to Dana College's list of outstanding athletes, Oct. 11

Jim Krueger was honored with Dana College’s highest alumni honor for athletics Oct. 11 in Blair, Neb., when the college named him to its Athletic Hall of Fame at a special ceremony held as part of Homecoming festivities.

Honorees are nominated for their excellence in athletics while attending Dana. In Krueger’s case, his performance as a linebacker and continued service to Dana as a coach and athletic director stood out.

Quarterbacks, running backs, the occasional wide receiver — the most valuable player is usually someone who is directly responsible for putting points on the board. Krueger was one of the rare players who are chosen for stopping those points.

In his career as a linebacker at Dana, Krueger racked up 434 tackles, making him one of the Vikings’ all-time best. He still holds the records for most tackles in one game (26 against Concordia in 1984) and most sacks in one game (four against Doane in 1984).

His performance on the field led to All-Conference, All-State and All-American accolades. He was a team captain for his junior and senior years, and was voted MVP in 1984.

Krueger also wrestled in his first two years at Dana, qualifying for the National Tournament in 1981.

When his eligibility expired, Krueger became a student coach. After his graduation in 1985, he became the Vikings’ assistant coach and later defensive coordinator under Head Coach Leo McKillip. When McKillip retired, Krueger took over the reins and now serves as Dana’s athletic director.

Krueger said he learned to love coaching from McKillip and made friends on the team that have lasted a lifetime.

Krueger graduated from Denmark High School in Denmark, Wis., in 1980.

Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution that currently enrolls approximately 600 students. The campus is located on 150 acres overlooking the Missouri River Valley in Blair, Neb. Dana grants bachelor’s degrees in more than 20 liberal arts, business, education and pre-professional programs. Dana is affiliated with the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and its athletic teams compete in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

More information on Dana College can be found on its web site, www.dana.edu.

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For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu