Tena Krause
Coach's EmailUnder Tena Krause, the Taylor University women's basketball program has become one which opponents know will be consistent. There will always be effort, solid play and determination.
For Krause, basketball presents a platform to teach her athletes a variety of lessons. "I love this sport because it has challenged me in more areas of my life than anything else I have competed in. My hope and desire is that our players will learn more about themselves as part of our team as well as develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ."
Krause also finds a perfect fit with the mission of Taylor. "It has been my goal since I came to Upland that our teams use the talents and abilities God gave us to glorify Him through our efforts both on and off the court."
Last season was one of her finest as she guided her Lady Trojan team to the Elite Eight at the NAIA National Tournament. This performance followed a season ending ranking of #21 in the NAIA polls and a 23-12 record.
In 2005-06 Krause led her squad to another strong season again. The Lady Trojans played one of the top NAIA schedules enroute to a 18-14 season, and Krause surpassed the 300-win plateau along the way.
Two years ago the Lady Trojans posted a 23-10 record and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the third time during Krause's tenure with the team.
The 2000-01 edition of the Lady Trojans posted a 24-8 mark, defeating the #1 rated St. Francis Cougars on their home court. This same group was rated as high as 8th in the NAIA and finished second in the MCC.
Her 1999-2000 squad began the season with a 10-13 mark, then went on a 10-2 tear to finish the season at 20-15, good enough for second place in the Mid-Central Conference race.
Krause led both the 1996-97 and 1997-98 squads to the NAIA Division II National Tournament, with the ‘97-'98 squad advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. She is the only Lady Trojan coach to accomplish this feat. The '96-'97 Lady Trojans posted a 28-8 record - the most wins and best winning percentage in the program's history. They also received their first ranking in the NAIA Division II National Poll, finishing as high as #11.
Overall Krause, who enters her 19th season at Taylor, has a record of 331-224, which is the most victories by any Taylor women's basketball coach.
In 1995-96, Krause guided the Lady Trojans to a 24-9 record, which was the most wins in a season by any TU women's basketball team at the time.
Taylor also captured the Mid-Central Conference regular season championship that year, for the first time in the program's history. Coach Krause was honored as the MCC Coach of the Year.
The 1994-95 campaign saw Krause's team post a 20-11 overall record, as freshman center Natalie Steele was named an NAIA 3rd Team All-American - the first Taylor women's basketball player to receive the honor. Under Krause's tutelage, Steele went on to become a four-time NAIA All-American.
In only her third season at Taylor, Krause's 1990-91 team set a school record (at the time) with 23 wins and captured the Hoosier Conference for Women championship. Krause was named the HCW Coach of the Year that season.
Prior to arriving at Taylor, Krause spent one year as assistant softball coach at Eastern Illinois University and three seasons at Altamont (IL) High School as head coach for basketball, volleyball and softball. Her 1980-81 basketball team at Altamont advanced to the Illinois State Tournament Elite Eight, and her volleyball squad made it to the "Sweet Sixteen" in 1981.
A native of Shipman, IL, Krause earned her B. S. degree in physical education in 1980 from Greenville College.
At Greenville, Krause starred in basketball, softball and tennis. She was named to the All-State team in basketball, the NAIA Player of the Week in basketball and was also the team MVP in tennis.
Krause was honored by her alma mater in the spring of 1996, as she was inducted into the Greenville College Athletic Hall of Fame for her accomplishments at Greenville and at Taylor.
In 1998, Krause was awarded another accolade as she was inducted into Greenville's Hall of Fame as a member of the 1980 Greenville women's basketball team.
Krause earned a Master's Degree in Curriculum Development in physical education at Eastern Illinois University in 1988. In the summer of 1996, Krause earned her MA in Health Science/Physiology from Ball State University.
Krause served as head coach of the Taylor women's tennis team from 1989-93. During that time, the Lady Trojans won or tied for NAIA District title four times, and her 1992 team finished 21st in the nation.
A member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the American Health Association (AHA) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), Krause resides in nearby Muncie, Indiana.
In addition to her coaching duties, Krause is an associate professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Human Performance at Taylor.
During her tenure at Taylor, Krause has coached seven NAIA All-Americans, three conference players of the year, seven NAIA All-District players, twenty-one All-Conference players and two NCCAA All-Americans.
Assistant Coach - Denise Johnson
Denise Johnson is the full-time assistant on the Lady Trojan staff. Coach Johnson is also a member of the PHP faculty.
She enters her twelfth season of working with the Lady Trojans where her duties include recruiting, scouting, and many behind-the-scenes duties. As head recruiter, she has produced athletes that have led TU to the NAIA National Tournament two of the past three years.
A 1984 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Johnson received her MS in Educational Psychology and Counseling from Eastern Illinois University in 1989. Coach Johnson received her Master's Degree in physical education at Ball State University.
Assistant Coach - Sarah Shedd
Sarah Shedd is a 2005 graduate of Taylor University. In her second year on the Lady Trojan staff, she played basketball within the program from 2000-04.
Shedd's responsibilities include assisting in scouting, recruiting, and game promotion.
Coach Shedd spent two years as an assistant with the girls' basketball team at Ft. Wayne Northrop High School before coming to Taylor.