Joe Yegge steps down as Prairie softball coach

CEDAR RAPIDS - Joe Yegge took the Cedar Rapids Prairie softball program to unprecedented heights.

'Every coach says they want to leave a program in a better spot than when they started, and I think I've done that,” Yegge said Wednesday, confirming that he has resigned.

Yegge spent the last five seasons coaching Kirkwood Community College in the spring, Prairie in the summer.

'At this time, I've got to get back on the road. I need to do a better job recruiting (for Kirkwood),” he said. 'It's been a grind. I'm tired all the time.”

Prairie was 8-28 the season before Yegge came aboard, but he elevated the Hawks' fortunes immediately, reaching the state tournament - the first in school history - in 2013.

Under Yegge's watch, the Hawks posted a five-year mark of 137-67. They were sixth at state in 2013, fifth in 2016. Prairie won Mississippi Valley Conference divisional titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

His final team was 28-10, falling in the regional semifinals at West Des Moines Dowling. Prairie is projected to return six starters for 2018.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com