Krause inducted into PVCA Hall of Fame
Girls volleyball wasn't a major contributor to the Parkland sports trophy case when Mike Krause arrived at the school in 2004.
In fact, the team wasn't a contributor at all.
But in Krause's nine years as the Trojan head coach, they've had to make some room for the sport not only in the trophy room, but also in the rafters.
His successful turnaround has not gone unnoticed as Krause was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Volleybal Coaches Association Hall of Fame at the annual coaches clinic held in State College.
"It's humbling, it really is," Krause said. "It's a really nice honor to be recognized with people that have all accomplished so much. I really haven't reflected on it much, but to be recognized for my contributions makes me proud."
Krause has devoted most of his life to volleyball and is one of the top ambassadors of the sport in the Lehigh Valley.
After a sucessful playing career at Allen and East Stroudsburg University, Krause moved into coaching, making several stops along the way.
He coached at Emmaus, Central Catholic and Allen scholastically, and also at the collegiate level with Temple, Kutztown and Lehigh.
In 1985, he began the first volleyball camp in the Lehigh Valley at Camp Olympic.
He's also been a regular contributor to PCN, broadcasting the state volleyball championship games when his team isn't involved in the game, as they've been the past two seasons.
Since coming to Parkland, he's taken a team that was a perennial alsoran and turned it into a powerhouse.
Krause is always quick to deflect the credit, often pointing to assistant coach Debbie Tice as a big part of his team's success.
"I've been very fortunate to have an assistant like Debbie and just be around people that are very passionate about the game," he said.
It's tough to argue with Krause's winning formula.
The Trojan girls haven't lost a match in the Lehigh Valley since the end of the 2009 season and have been ranked in the state's top five much of the past three seasons.
He's racked up 167 wins in his nine seasons as head coach, won four league crowns and three District 11 titles. In 2011, he guided the girls to a state title and this season, coached them to a second place finish.
He's mentored 12 All-State performers in that span, including five that made the team multiple seasons.
"Now, you're getting athletes that are willing to be very physical," Krause said. "That makes the game a lot more fun to coach, to play and to watch."