Schenkelberg steps down at Prairie

Cedar Rapids Prairie head boys' basketball coach Paul Schenkelberg has stepped down from his position, Prairie announced Friday.

Schenkelberg has been a teacher and coach at the school for 31 years, the last four as head varsity coach. Prairie ended a 53-game losing streak in the Mississippi Valley Conference this season.

Prairie has had several players transfer to other schools during the coach's tenure, including five to Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Schenkelberg will remain a teacher at the school.

He declined to discuss the situation Friday with The Gazette. A message to Prairie Activities Director was not returned. 

“Paul Schenkelberg's knowledge of the game, his character and leadership allowed us to get through a very trying period here (and) he has us pointed in the right direction,” Bennett said in a release. “Our student-athletes who have played for him are better young men because of that, and there is no doubt in my mind that with Paul's development of some of our younger players last year, we will contend in the MVC again.”

Former University of Iowa standout Kenyon Murray coached the Prairie freshmen this past season but has no interest in the head varsity position, according to sources. Prairie will conduct a full search for Schenkelberg's replacement, including outside the school.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Prairie Boys Basketball Coach Resigns

Paul Schenkelberg, long time sophomore coach and current head coach at Prairie High School in collaboration with administration has decided to step down. 

“Paul Schenkelberg's knowledge of the game, his character and leadership allowed us to get through a very trying period here but he has us pointed in the right direction,” stated Prairie Activities Director Rocky Bennett. 

“Our student-athletes who have played for him are better young men because of that, and there is no doubt in my mind that with Paul's development of some of our younger players last year, we will contend in the MVC again,” Bennett added.

Schenkelberg will continue as a social studies teacher at Prairie High School.  “The search for a new coach will begin immediately,” Bennett said.