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April 9, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kennedy High School is excited to announce the hiring of Jon McKowen as our next boys head basketball coach, pending CRCSD Board approval. Coach McKowen has an extensive and proven background as an educator that includes 11 years as a physical education instructor and head basketball coach. He will be succeeding Bob Fontana who will be returning to his hometown of Ankeny at the end of the school year to take over a new program at Ankeny Centennial High School. Jon grew up in Northeast Iowa, graduating from Wapsie Valley HS, where he was a multiple sport athlete growing up. He earned all-state honors in football, basketball, and baseball for the Warriors. He played basketball for his father, Hall of Fame coach Marty McKowen. Jon attended Coe College and Upper Iowa University pursuing a degree in physical education and coaching. His first head coaching assignment was at Northern University High School in Cedar Falls in 2002. During his five seasons at NU High, McKowens basketball teams compiled a record of 91-32 that included a trip to the 2006 State Tournament in which they finished in 3rd place. He was voted the NICL Coach of the Year for three consecutive seasons in 2005, 2006, and 2007. After the 2006-2007 school year, Jon moved to Ottawa, Kansas, where he took over as the head basketball coach for the Cyclones. With McKowen at the helm, Ottawa has earned six consecutive trips to the Kansas Class 4A State Tournament. His teams have finished in 4th place (2009), 2nd place three times (2010, 2011, 2012), and finished the 2012-13 season with a perfect 25-0 record as the Class 4A State Champions. He has compiled an impressive record of 129-24 as head coach in Ottawa. Jon was named the Sports in Kansas 4A Coach of the Year in 2013 and the Sports Illustrated Coach of the Week for December 27, 2012. He has been successful at every stop in his career we are excited to bring his talents and gifts to Kennedy High School as he moves his family back to his home state of Iowa. States Coach McKowen, My family and I are excited to become part of the Kennedy community. There is a great amount of school pride among the administration, staff, and students which is important to me. The balance of academics and athletics within the Kennedy school system is what drew me in. I look forward to working with current and future Cougars this summer as we get prepared for next season. States Kennedy AD, Aaron Stecker, Coach McKowen believes passionately in his role as an educator to have a positive impact on all students he comes into contact with and develop them into leaders. Jon accomplishes this through building positive relationships with students and Aaron Stecker, AD 4545 Wenig Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 319-558-1451

staff. He has high expectations of his athletes in the classroom and expects the same of himself as a teacher. Jon believes in being successful by focusing on the important things in life, prioritizing, and working hard to do the things necessary to be successful in all facets of life. His colleagues describe him as a brilliant educator who builds positive relationships with students and expects great things out of all of them. He will be an amazing fit at Kennedy High School. He is the total package an educator. Coach McKowen will finish his teaching and coaching responsibilities at Ottawa through the remainder of the school year. He looks to transition to Kennedy as quickly as possible this summer in an effort to utilize as much time as possible to work with Kennedy student-athletes as they prepare for the upcoming season. He looks forward to moving his wife and three children back to his home state and closer to his family. Aaron Stecker, AD Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids, IA

Aaron Stecker, AD

4545 Wenig Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA

319-558-1451