Tracy Rietzke, the second winningest coach all-time in NCAA Division II women's volleyball, has announced his retirement after serving the past 32 years as the head women's volleyball coach at Rockhurst University.

Rietzke retires ranking No. 4 among women's college volleyball coaches of all levels with 1,277 victories. Under Rietzke, the Hawks averaged more than 34 wins per season and advanced to post-season play 26 times. Rietzke won three GLVC Tournament titles and three NCAA regional championships. He was named the USMC/AVCA Division II National Coach of the Year in 2019.

"I am thankful for the opportunity I've had to work alongside Coach Rietzke as a coach and administrator," said RU Athletic Director Gary Burns. "It has been an honor and a privilege to get to know and work with him over the past 26 years since I arrived at Rockhurst. He is truly one of the greatest coaches in women's college volleyball history. His legacy is one that will last a long time."

Rietzke was named the head coach at Rockhurst in the summer of 1988. His volleyball teams won 30 or more matches 20 times, including 11 teams with 40 or more wins. His 1993 squad won a school-record 57 matches. He led the Hawks to 13 NCAA Tournament and six NAIA Tournament appearances. In addition, he coached 21 NCAA and NAIA All-America selections, four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 71 All-Conference recipients.

"We've had a very successful run," Rietzke said. "Rockhurst has been a great fit for me and my family. God has truly blessed us. Both of our daughters, Kylie and Morgan, graduated from Rockhurst and played volleyball all four years, and gave me the opportunity to coach them, which gave me a shot of adrenaline and energy to help me finish my career on a high note. I want to thank them and my wife Cindy for their support. It takes a special athlete to play for a parent and a strong person to be a spouse of a coach like Cindy has done for 32 years.

"I would like to thank my current players and former players for their commitment to the program as well as the many assistants. All of you have contributed to the success of our volleyball program as well as the legacy and winning tradition we have established. I would like to make a special mention to Brian Tate for his help the past six years and Brett Ferguson for assisting the last four years, plus Brad Kelsheimer for his second go-round. I want to thank Coach Burns, Father Curran and my colleagues in the entire Rockhurst community for their support. I also appreciate the parents for giving me the opportunity to coach their daughter."

Over the past 32 seasons, Rietzke guided the Hawks to an 1,105-229 record (.828). Since joining the NCAA in 1998, Rockhurst posted a 647-167 record (.795). His last eight teams combined for 240 victories while winning three GLVC Tournament titles (2012, 2018 and 2019) and four GLVC regular season titles. Rietzke's teams also captured a Heartland Conference Tournament title in 2002 and three NCAA Midwest Regional championships (2015, 2017 and 2019).

Rietzke was selected the GLVC Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2012, Heartland Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2004, AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 2014, and AVCA South Central Region Coach of the Year in 1999. He was a five-time NAIA District Coach of the Year honoree from 1990-94). Rietzke was recognized as the NAIA Midwest Independent Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1996.

Rockhurst has finished in the NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll 11 times, highlighted by a No. 5 ranking in 2015 and a No. 7 ranking in 2019. The Hawks played in 10 NCAA Regional finals: 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

"Every team was special, although I would like to give a shout-out to the 2012 team for winning our first GLVC Tournament championship and getting us back to the NCAA Tournament," Rietzke said. "Also the 2015 team for taking us to our first Elite Eight, the 2017 team for taking us to our first Final Four and our 2019 team for winning back-to-back GLVC Tournament championships, winning the GLVC regular season, winning a regional championship and playing in our second Final Four. Also, thanks for your role in getting me the honor of being named the National Coach of the Year for 2019. It was a very humbling experience.

"I'm hoping we have all learned some lessons in life along the way. I know I have. I wish all of our players and recruits nothing but the best. I think we have a strong nucleus for next year, including some solid recruits and I think you have a chance at winning the GLVC again. I will have a different role next year but will always look for an opportunity to help Rockhurst continue its successful tradition."

Rietzke also served as head coach of the Rockhurst women's basketball team from 1988-96. The Hawks recorded a 206-45 record in his eight seasons and played in five NAIA national tournaments.

A 1977 graduate of Kansas Wesleyan University, Rietzke was an All-American in basketball and led the nation in field-goal percentage in his senior year. Prior to his arrival at Rockhurst, Rietzke coached volleyball, basketball and softball at Kansas Wesleyan from 1982-88. His volleyball teams won 172 games. He was inducted into the Kansas Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986.

Rockhurst University will immediately begin a national search to identify the next head coach of the women's volleyball program.