After more than three decades of building one of Kentucky’s premier high school volleyball programs, St. Henry has announced the retirement of legendary volleyball coach Maureen Kaiser.
A 1985 St. Henry graduate and a cornerstone of St. Henry athletics, Kaiser leaves behind a legacy defined by championships, unmatched success, leadership and a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes.
Kaiser recently completed her 36th season as the head coach with the Crusaders. In those 36 years, Kaiser guided the Crusaders to 889 wins and over the course of her coaching career she’s won 914 games (spent two years at Holy Cross to start her coaching career). Kaiser is among the top three winningest coaches in Kentucky volleyball history.
“Coach Kaiser has built a program at St. Henry that represents faith, excellence, dedication, and tradition,” St. Henry Principal Grant Brannen said. “Her legacy goes far beyond wins and championships, as she has impacted generations of student-athletes and helped establish a standard of success that will continue for years to come.”
During her 36 years at St. Henry, they won a state title in 2021, finished state runner-up twice, won seven All “A” state titles and 25 district championships. Her teams surpassed the 30-win mark eight times, establishing a tradition of excellence and consistency. Her accomplishments earned her numerous Coach of the Year honors at both the local and state levels.
Kaiser’s impact extends well beyond the volleyball court. She is a member of the Buddy LaRosa’s Hall of Fame, the Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and the St. Henry Hall of Fame. In 2024, St. Henry honored her legacy by naming the school’s volleyball court in her honor, alongside longtime Boys Basketball Coach Dave Faust.
“Coach Kaiser wasn’t just one of the greatest coaches in Kentucky history — she was a builder of character, a mentor who shaped generations of student-athletes with integrity, passion, faith and heart,” Athletic Director Jim Demler said. “She built the St. Henry Volleyball program into a consistent state power year in and year out. We are so thankful for Coach and what she has given to the SHDHS community. Her records and coaching accolades speak for themselves.”
St. Henry is coming off a 24-10 season, a 34th District championship and a region semifinal appearance. Whoever inherits the new team will be in good shape as they lose just two to graduation. Demler stated the coaching search will begin immediately with no time table set.
