Release: Voelker Steps Down to Pursue Ministry

[ChrisMWilliams]

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State assistant wrestling coach and former two-time NCAA 190-pound champion Eric Voelker is resigning to pursue a call to the ministry. Voelker, a three-time NCAA All-American as a Cyclone from 1987-89, had joined the staff of Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson last fall.

“Eric has been a valuable asset to our wrestling program,” Jackson said. “He is respected by our wrestlers, alumni and prep coaches in Iowa and across the country. He is a great leader, which will serve him well in the ministry.”

Voelker will be joining the staff of his church, Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.

“This past year has given me cause to refocus,” Voelker said. “For many years I have been moving been toward full-time ministry and believe that now is the time to go ‘all in,’ to use our Cyclone language.”

Voelker had high praise for Jackson.

“Kevin is a great leader and working with him and the Iowa State wrestling program has been a special time in my life,” Voelker said. “The Iowa State wrestling program has a top-notch staff, a very supportive athletics department and a committed booster community. I am confident great achievements lie ahead.”

Jackson knows that Voelker will continue to be a part of the Cyclone wrestling family.

“More than anything, Eric made an impact on our wrestlers by example,” Jackson said. “They see him as an individual who wouldn’t ask for any effort from another that he would not ask of himself. His place in Iowa State history is assured.”

Jackson says a search for Voelker’s replacement is underway.

[Cydkar]

God hates ISU.

[CycloneErik]

Good reason!

[00clone]

Uh-oh, first we're losing wrestling coaches so they can go win championships, now we're losing them to go pray? iz trubble.

[cykitt]

My personal opinion was that it was a quick one year hire so that one of the paulson brothers could be hired for this coming year.

[Scott34]

My personal opinion was that it was a quick one year hire so that one of the paulson brothers could be hired for this coming year.

That could be a high possibility.

[cyclonesurveyor]

Lutheran Church of Hope just announced Sunday that they are in the process of starting another satellite location in the Johnston/Dallas Center/Grimes area. Coincidence?

[Go2Guy]

Finally we lose a coach that elects to take a 'step up'.

[buf87]

You have to remember that EV's dad passed away this past year and his daughter was in an accident. He had alot of personal things happen that caused him to refocus his priorities.

[ricochet]

My personal opinion was that it was a quick one year hire so that one of the paulson brothers could be hired for this coming year.

Maybe we can hire both of them and tell the NCAA it is just 1 guy.

[heyguy85]

No one can blame him. Jackson will find another good assistant.

[CycloneDaddy]

Lutheran Church of Hope just announced Sunday that they are in the process of starting another satellite location in the Johnston/Dallas Center/Grimes area. Coincidence?

I can't remember the name of the couple in charge of the satellite location but it wasn't Voelker. The satellite church will start at one of the Johnston schools in the fall.

[WrestlingWatch]

I want to thank Coach Voelker for everything he did for our wrestlers and team. I know personally that the wrestlers love and respect him. It will be hard to replace him, but we understand his decision.

Good luck to you Coach!

[cyclonesurveyor]

I can't remember the name of the couple in charge of the satellite location but it wasn't Voelker. The satellite church will start at one of the Johnston schools in the fall.

The last name started with a "T". The gentleman looked like Dirk Nowitzki, definitely not a wrestler.

[westcyedclone]

The last name started with a "T". The gentleman looked like Dirk Nowitzki, definitely not a wrestler.

Fritz Trost. Not completely sure on the spelling. Good luck to coach, sometimes life calls you in a completely different direction then you thought you were headed. Good for him.