Long-time Pirate Coach to Continue to Lead Golf Program

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Warren Friedrichs, one of Whitworth University’s longest-serving and most decorated coaches, has been selected to lead the athletics department on an interim basis. Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Michael Le Roy announced today that Whitworth President Bill Robinson has selected Friedrichs to take on the Director of Athletics position that became open when Scott McQuilkin was named Acting Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Friedrichs will also continue in his role as the Pirate men’s and women’s golf coach.

Le Roy cited Friedrichs’ long-time connection to the department, his success as a head coach and his respect among his colleagues for the decision.

"One of the Warren’s greatest strengths in taking on this role is his knowledge of, and commitment to, Whitworth’s mission and its athletic program," says Le Roy. "Warren has been a successful coach, teacher and leader, and he is determined to ensure that the athletics program continues to thrive during this interim period of service."

Friedrichs will lead a broad-based NCAA Division III athletics program that has seen great success on the fields and courts over the last decade. The Pirates’ 20 varsity teams have won the Northwest Conference McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports trophy the last two years in a row.

"I feel energized by the possibility of working with such a great staff of coaches," said Friedrichs. "Scott has laid such a tremendous groundwork in terms of facilities, fundraising and staffing, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. But what is most important to all of us during this interim period is to continue to move forward. We need to continue to keep making progress on budget and facilities because other programs will be doing so as well."

Friedrichs has served as the golf coach at Whitworth since the program’s resurrection during the 2003-04 season. He led the Pirate men to three straight NWC titles from 2005-07, earning NWC Coach of the Year honors each of those seasons, and oversaw the Whitworth women earning a share of the NWC title in 2009.

Friedrichs coached the men’s basketball team at Whitworth for 16 years (1986 through 2001). His teams won or shared five Northwest Conference titles. He was named Northwest Conference men’s basketball Coach of the Year four times, Little All-Northwest Coach of the Year twice, NAIA Area I Coach of the Year once, NAIA District I Coach of the Year once and NAIA District II Coach of the Year once. He led the Pirates to three national tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish at the NAIA Division II Tournament in 1996 when he was selected as the national coach of the year. He had the winningest Northwest Conference men's basketball team in the 1990s and won the most NWC titles during the same decade.

Friedrichs has previously served as the chair of Whitworth’s department of kinesiology and has taught extensively during his 24 years at the university. His experience in athletic administration dates back to the early 1980’s when he served as both the men’s basketball coach and director of athletics at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.

Friedrichs earned his B.A. in education from Concordia College (Neb.) and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 1985.

"I am excited about getting to know more student-athletes in our department beyond those I coach and teach directly," said Friedrichs.

McQuilkin served as Whitworth’s director of athletics since 1996. Whitworth has won the McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports Trophy for the best overall athletics program in the competitive Northwest Conference three of the past five years. Since 2000, the Pirates have captured 33 conference championships, been represented in the NCAA Division III post-season 80 times, and hosted 13 NCAA championship events.

McQuilkin expanded Whitworth's athletics program to 20 intercollegiate sports, adding golf, indoor track and field, and softball. He also strengthened fundraising efforts and outreach to supporters, significantly improved facilities, and hired most of Whitworth's current roster of respected and award-winning coaches.

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