Few coaches get to build a football program from scratch but that is what Scott Strohmeier is doing at Iowa Western Community College. The former North Iowa Area Community College coach was hired in April of 2008 after the Council Bluffs school decided to add the sport.
Strohmeier says it has been exciting to see the program being put together, as it took a lot of time and effort. Strohmeier says success in other sports at Iowa Western has him convinced it can also happen in football. He says that is one of the things he saw when he looked at the job, and he says the expectations for success are also there for football.
Strohmeier says starting a program at a junior college is different than a four-year school and he feels the Reivers will field a competitive team this season even though they will be short on experience. He says everyone plays freshmen at this level, so all the players will be competing against others of the same age.
Strohmeier says scheduling was not as much of a challenge as with other new programs because Iowa Western will have a conference schedule in its first season. They are in the Midwest Football Conference with two other state schools Iowa Central and Ellsworth.
Strohmeier is confident they can build a local fan base as the town is excited about football. The Reivers’ first game will be at home on September fifth against Iowa Central Community College.