June 24, 2008

Upper Iowa University head women's basketball coach Ben Conrad has resigned his position, effective immediately. Conrad will be introduced as the new head women's basketball coach at Johnson County Community College. Conrad managed the Peacocks' first three seasons at the NCAA Division II level.

"I want to thank Dr. Walker and Coach Cloud for the tremendous opportunity and honor they gave me in leading the Peacocks into Division II basketball over the past few years. Leaving for Johnson County was a difficult decision, but in the end was just too good to pass up," said Conrad. "I feel very good about the direction of the program here at UIU. I think that our exhausting work over the past few years will be evident in the next year or two. There is a good base of returners and a very good recruiting class arriving in late August. I feel good that we are leaving it much better than we found it three years ago."

Conrad, a graduate of North Polk High School, earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Northern Iowa in 1999 and a master's degree in exercise science from Iowa State University in 2001. Prior to taking over head coaching duties at Upper Iowa, Conrad was the head women's basketball coach at Des Moines Area Community College for three seasons where he accumulated a 71-27 record.

"We want to wish Ben, Grace, Colin, and Catelynn good luck in their new endeavor at Johnson County. The university appreciates what Coach Conrad has accomplished in our first three years in Division II," said Upper Iowa Director of Athletics Gil Cloud.

Mike Brown, the current assistant coach with the women's program, will become the Interim Head Coach for the 2008-09 season.