CLEVELAND, Ohio – After leading the Cleveland State women's basketball team to one of its most successful stretches in program history, the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees approved updated contract terms for head coach Chris Kielsmeier at the May 19, 2022 meeting. Cleveland State and Coach Kielsmeier have agreed to a revised contract that will now run through the 2026-27 season. 

"I'm so thankful for the belief and support that President Bloomberg and Athletic Director Scott Garrett have shown in not only me, but our entire program throughout my time at Cleveland State. I love being a part of the Cleveland State family and the amazing people that are associated with the University and the Athletic Department. I am fortunate to work with an incredible staff and a talented roster of student-athletes on a daily basis, and I can't wait to continue on this Viking journey," Kielsmeier said.

Kielsmeier will be in his fifth season at the helm of the Vikings during the upcoming 2022-23 campaign, owning a 66-43 record at Cleveland State and a 482-165 overall record in 22 seasons as a head coach. During his tenure, the Vikings have recorded a pair of 20-win campaigns (2019-20 & 2021-22), making Kielsmeier the only coach in program history to lead CSU to multiple 20+ win seasons. 

"We are so excited by the positive trajectory of the women's basketball program under Coach Kielsmeier's leadership here at Cleveland State over the last four years," Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Garrett said. "He has built a strong staff of mentors that bring energy into developing the young women in our program on a day-to-day basis. I look forward to working with Chris as we strive towards winning a Horizon League championship in the near future, while continuing to deploy innovative strategies that provide our student-athletes a transformational experience during their time here at CSU."

Last year Kielsmeier guided Cleveland State to a 21-9 overall record, helping the Vikings make an appearance in the #HLWBB Championship game for the first time since 2011, while also making back-to-back trips to the postseason, culminating with an appearance in the WBI Championship game.  

Entering the 2022-23 campaign, Cleveland State has made three straight trips to the #HLWBB Semifinals, one of just two teams to make it to the semifinals in all three years. During the 2019-20 season the Vikings made their first appearance in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals since 2015, while last season's semifinal appearance marked the second time in program history that Cleveland State made back-to-back-to-back trips to the semifinals. 

During the 2020-21 season Kielsmeier and the Vikings earned a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2015, making an appearance in the Women's Basketball Invitational. Cleveland State went on to win three games in three days to capture the 2021 WBI Championship, marking the first postseason title for the Vikings in program history. 

Kielsmeier also helped lead the Vikings to another program first during the 2019-20 campaign, as Cleveland State notched a program record 11 straight wins from November 13, 2019 to December 28, 2019, marking the first double-digit win streak in program history. The 11 wins were part of a 21-11 campaign for the Vikings, marking their first 20-win campaign since 2010-11.

Under Kielsmeier's guidance five Vikings have earned multiple all-league accolades, including Mariah White who was a two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year (2020 & 2021), Destiny Leo who was named the Horizon League Sixth Player of the Year (2021) and Savanna Crockett who earned Horizon League Freshman of the Year honors (2019).  

"Four years ago I came to Cleveland State to achieve success both on the court and in the classroom, while also making an impact on the Cleveland community. During the last four years we have accomplished so much more than that, but we know that there is always more that can be done. Now is the time to keep chasing those opportunities, putting in the hard work and commitment every single day to make them a reality," stated Kielsmeier.

Kielsmeier has also made an impact on the Cleveland State program off the court, as the Vikings have combined for 47 CSU Dean's List accolades (3.25+ GPA) and 33 Horizon League Honor Roll recognitions. In addition, multiple Vikings have held roles on the CSU SAAC Board, while Mariah White was named the 2021 Arthur Ashe Jr. Female Sports Scholar of the Year for her work in the classroom, in the community and on the court. 

Kielsmeier was named the seventh head coach in program history on April 17, 2018, joining the Viking family after stints at Wayne State (NE) and Howard Payne. During his coaching tenure, Kielsmeier has now combined for 11 postseason appearances, including a 2007-08 Division III National Championship at Howard Payne.