NORTHFIELD, Minn. -  Cindy Book, who amassed 473 wins in her tenure at St. Olaf and 716 in her career, will retire as volleyball coach but remain at the college as chair of the exercise science department, athletic director Ryan Bowles announced Monday afternoon. 

A national search for a head volleyball coach will begin immediately.

Book is eighth in career victories among Division III coaches all-time and was second among active Division III and 18th all-time among active coaches in all NCAA divisions.

She spent two seasons at Keene State, eight at Bethel University (1980-87) and 22 at St. Olaf (1991-2001; 2004-14).

Book's St. Olaf teams were a mainstay at the top of the MIAC standings, including a dominant stretch in the 1990s. The Oles won four straight MIAC titles from 1993-96 as St. Olaf compiled a 43-1 record in league play in the span. Under Book, St. Olaf won six MIAC titles and made nine NCAA tournament appearances (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2010) highlighted by a NCAA semifinal appearance in 1996.

Book, who spent six years as athletic director at St. Olaf from 1998-2003, was on sabbatical this fall as the Oles were guided by interim head coach Walt Weaver.