Coaches

Ken Hefner

Entering his 19th season as the head women's soccer coach at Park, Hefner is the Pirates' Women's Soccer all-time coaching wins leader.

Has guided Park University to six appearances in the NAIA National Tournament (2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2016) and made two appearances in the NAIA National Tournament with Lindsey Wilson, in 1998 and 1999 seasons.

Has coached seven individuals that have earned All-American designations in his 18 previous seasons at Park. Overall, Hefner has coached 18 All-Americans.

Has coached 12 NAIA All-Region team members, and seven Conference/Regional players of the year at Park.

All together Hefner has coached 140 All-Conference performers, 45 NAIA All-Region team members, and 11 Conference/Regional players of the year in his career.

Has guided the women’s soccer program to eight NAIA Scholar Team designations during his tenure at Park.

Besides his team success on the field, his players have enjoyed success in the classroom with two Pirates earning CSC Academic All-America First-Team honors to go with 18 CSC Academic All-District selections.

Overall, Hefner has coached 164 named to All-Academic conference teams and 67 NAIA Academic All-America distinctions.

Awarded AMC Coach of the Year in 2016, 2012, and 2010 seasons. He was also awarded MCAC Coach of the Year in the 2006, 2007 seasons, MCAC Co-Coach of the Year award in 2008, NSCAA/Adidas NAIA Midwest Region Coach of the Year 2008, and Region IV Coach of the Year 2006. He also received NAIA and NSCAA Region Coach of the Year award in 1997. Hefner has also been awarded 11 NAIA Coach of the Year awards over his career.

Won his 300th career game against Central Baptist on Sept. 29, 2018, in a 4-0 win for the Pirates.

Coached 2018 AMC Freshman of the Year (Lenvix Ochieng).

Coached six players that received 2019 AMC All-Conference recognition, First-Team All-Conference (Megan Klein, Lenvix Ochieng, and Maddy Russell), and Honorable Mention All-Conference (Kendra Bross, Makenna Hutchinson, and Abby Groom).

During the 2020 season, he led one student-athlete to the program's first ever Heart of America Second Team All-Conference award (Lenvix Ochieng).

In the 2021 season, the Pirates had two Heart 3rd Team All-Conference honorees.

Hefner shows his team how to value important causes outside of soccer, as he helped organize the Spring 2022 "Kicking for Ukraine" event, a scrimmage against Rockhurst University that raised money to support the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. His team also hosted KC Blind Spot on campus to increase inclusivity to all people in sports.

The 2022 season, marked the third season the Pirates competed in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and earned their first playoff berth in school history to the Heart conference tournament quarterfinals. Two Pirates earned Heart Third Team All-Conference, while five members were awarded CSC Academic All-District.