Gierke and Ohlinger inducted into Kish athletics hall of fame

Gregg Gierke was Kish head men’s basketball coach from 1985 – 1997. In his tenure, the Kougars won seven Arrowhead Conference championships, competed annually for region IV titles and, in 1996, broke through to the NJCAA National Championship, finishing as runner up that year. After Kish, Gierke became head coach at Colorado Christian University (NCAA Division II), where he coached the highest scoring team in the school’s history. After, he went on to Florida State College in Jacksonville. Under Gierke’s coaching, the team won three Conference Championships and was ranked in the Top Ten in the nation. Along the way, he also coached three-time Notre Dame All-American Jewell Lloyd, who was the WNBA #1 Draft Choice and played for the 2018 WNBA Champions Seattle Storm. Currently, he referees over 1,000 games a year, runs 18 basketball camps and gives individual lessons to youth who are passionate about the game.

Jackee (Doran) Ohlinger was a middle blocker at Kish from 1993 – 1995. Her efforts with her teammates led to a 40-10 record in 1993. She was twice an All Arrowhead Conference selection, twice All Region IV selection, and, in 1994, Ohlinger was selected by coaches as the 1994 Arrowhead Conference MVP. After graduating from Kish, Ohlinger transferred to NIU and earned a bachelor’s while coaching at Rochelle Township High School. It was at RTHS where she met Coach Wayne King and got involved with club volleyball. From 1998 – 2001 she coached at Kish. In 2001, Ohlinger led women’s volleyball to the College’s first ever NJCAA championship. Ohlinger is currently the executive director of the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District and is responsible for implementation of district policy and the overall management of the district’s parks and recreation system.

Photo: Kishwaukee College Athletics inducted Gregg Gierke and Jackee (Doran) Ohlinger at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 26. Pictured: L to R Gregg Gierke and Jackee (Doran) Ohlinger.