TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:00 pm
Ten years after recruiting Lizzy Stemke to play at Wisconsin, John Cook sought out his former player this winter and convinced her to join his coaching staff at Nebraska.
“He got me very excited about the University of Wisconsin, and he’s done the same with Nebraska,” said Stemke, the former Lizzy Fitzgerald. “Going to a program that has had so much success and has so much support will be a new and exciting experience.”
Stemke, who coached two seasons as an assistant at North Carolina, was named Tuesday to replace Charlene Johnson-Tagaloa as setters’ coach at NU. Stemke was a two-time All-American at Wisconsin who went on to play two seasons with the U.S. National Team.
She played just one season for Cook, who left Wisconsin for Nebraska in 1999. As a junior in 2000, Stemke led the Badgers against Cook and Nebraska in the national championship match that the Huskers won in five games.
“What has always impressed me is how she had to make herself into a setter,” said Cook, recalling how Stemke had played as a middle blocker in club ball in New Orleans.
“She’s had to work for everything,” he added.
Cook said that Stemke will be a role model to Nebraska players with aspirations of playing professionally or internationally after their college careers. Stemke hopes to one day become a head coach.
Her sister, Meg Colado, is head coach at Central Florida. Their father, Billy Fitzgerald, coaches high school baseball in the New Orleans area.
“After one year, I knew that this was something I wanted to do,” Stemke said, “and I’m very passionate about moving up and making this a lifelong career.”
Stemke’s husband, Kevin, was the Ray Guy Award winner as a punter at Wisconsin who spent part of the 2002 season with the Oakland Raiders of Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan. She will begin her work at Nebraska on March 1.
Briefly
* Cook said Tuesday that returning starter Kori Cooper and freshman Lindsey Licht are close to full speed again after both underwent surgery recently to have cysts removed from their feet. The Huskers are set to open spring drills on March 12
* Cook played 18 holes Tuesday as a guest at Augusta National Golf Club, site of The Masters. “I hit some big putts,” he said. His score? “I’m still figuring that,” Cook said.
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7439 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.