Basketball coach moves to new team

GALESBURG -- Knox College announced today that long-time basketball coach Tim Heimann will coach his last season with the Prairie Fire this winter. Heimann will not be leaving Knox, however, as he moves to the College's fundraising and alumni relations team.

Effective April 1, Heimann will join the College's Advancement office as a major gifts officer. In this role, he will visit alumni and donors, update them about the College, and encourage their financial support for his alma mater.

"As a coach for 34 years, Tim has developed relationships with students -- who are now alumni -- that will serve him well in the Advancement office," notes Beverly Holmes, Knox's vice president for advancement. "Advancement is about building relationships and keeping our alumni connected to their alma mater. His years of experience here give him a real running start."

One of his first tasks will be to complete the current Fitness and Athletics Initiatives project and to strengthen local alumni and donor interest in Knox College.

Knox's Athletic Director Chad Eisele believes Heimann's 24-year record as coach of the Knox basketball team will serve him well in his new role. "I've been privileged to know Tim for many years," Eisele explains. "He coached me during my student years, and now we'll work together to enhance Knox's programs and facilities for the next generation of students."

Knox College President Roger Taylor said, "Tim Heimann is a fixture at Knox. I know that he will bring the same fire to fundraising that he brought to coaching."

Heimann graduated from Knox in 1970 and played basketball under Coach Harley Knosher during his student days. After graduation, he returned to Knox, working in the Admission office and Dean of Students office. He joined the Knox Athletic Department in 1973 as a junior varsity basketball coach. In 1984 he was named head coach for basketball. During the past 34 years, he also has held coaching duties in football and tennis, including head baseball coach from 1978-1988, and head women's tennis coach from 2001-2006. In 1986 the baseball team won the Midwest Conference Championship. In 1997, he was named Midwest Conference - Southern Division Basketball Coach of the Year.

Rob Purlee Named New Head Coach

Taking the lead as new head basketball coach is Rob Purlee, Monmouth graduate and former All-Conference player in basketball and football. Purlee began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Monmouth in 2004 and came to Knox in 2006.

"Rob was an outstanding player, and he had a great first-year of coaching last year. Knox is very lucky. Harley Knosher was able to hand-pick his successor in Tim, and Tim has been able to hand-pick his successor in Rob," adds Eisele. "That makes an enormous difference in terms of keeping the team moving forward."

Purlee's first season as head coach will be in 2008-2009. "During this season, Rob and Tim will work hand in hand to make the transition smooth," Eisele adds. "We're thrilled to be able to have this kind of continuity."

Tim Heimann, Rob Purlee