April 19, 2004
Women's Basketball Search
We concluded our search for a new women's basketball coach last week with the announcement of the selection of Beth Combs as our new head coach. Beth had been the head coach at Colgate for the last three years. I am very familiar with Beth, having worked with her during my last five years at Colgate. She started at Colgate as the top assistant six years ago. When Colgate's head coach left to take another position, I named Beth interim head coach. She did an excellent job in her first year, leading the team to 14 wins and completely changing the attitude of the team. She was named the Patriot League's Coach of the Year, as well as being selected the Colgate athletic department's Coach of the Year. Given this success, needless to say, I removed the interim title after the season.
This past year was a breakthrough year for Beth and the program, as the team set a school record for wins, won the school's first league title and participated in the NCAA tournament for the first time. Colgate lost to Tennessee in the tournament, but played very competitively. Obviously, Beth's success at Colgate (a school with similar academic standards to Northwestern -- Beth's team was the only women's team in the tournament with a 100% graduation rate) was a key factor in her selection. In a three-year period, she turned around a program that had little tradition -- Colgate had not had a winning season since 1986-87.
In addition, Beth has strong ties to Illinois and the Big Ten that make her a good fit for Northwestern. She grew up in Decatur, and played at Illinois. She started her collegiate coaching career at Eastern Illinois and has recruited the Chicago area extensively.
I'm excited about the future of the program under Beth's leadership. She is a tireless worker and a very effective recruiter. I think people will see improvements in the program soon, and in time we hope to have the program competitive again in the Big Ten.
National Coach of the Year
Northwestern received some great news earlier this month when women's fencing coach Laurie Schiller was named National Coach of the Year. Laurie did an excellent job this year in leading his team to a sixth-place finish in the NCAA. Congratulations, Laurie, on this well-deserved honor.
Administrative Restructuring
We recently announced a restructuring of our senior administrative staff, effective July 1. With the announced retirement of long-time Senior Associate AD Ken Kraft at the end of June, my senior staff and I have held several meetings over the last few months discussing our administrative structure. We decided to make a number of changes that we think will help our department operate more efficiently. While there are many changes, the most significant changes are the decision to spread the responsibility for directly managing sports across more members of the senior staff and the promotion of Brad Hurlbut to Associate AD for Intercollegiate Administration. With the changes, we are just now starting the search for a new Associate AD for External Affairs. I am optimistic that these changes will have a positive impact on our athletic department.
Women's Sport Weekend
This year's spring Women's Sport Weekend will be held April 29-May 2. I want to thank both Center Court and the N Club for their sponsorship of this weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Big Ten Women's Tennis Championship, which will be held Thursday through Sunday at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center (the Combe Indoor Tennis Center will serve as the inclement weather site). Our women's team will be seeking their sixth consecutive Big Ten championship. Our women's lacrosse team has home games that weekend on Friday and Sunday. The lacrosse team is enjoying a great season in only their third season in their return as a varsity sport. They have won nine straight games and are ranked 11th in the country. Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller has done a remarkable job in building this program. Our softball team hosts a doubleheader Sunday, May 2.
Spring Football
Spring football is winding down. Due to the nice weather this spring, the team has been able to practice outside for most sessions. The team has held a couple scrimmages on Ryan Field. Randy Walker has been very pleased with spring practice and thinks the team has made great progress. The annual spring game will be held this Saturday at noon at Ryan Field, weather permitting. Our softball and baseball teams are in action that day, which should make it a fun-filled day. Pre-game events for the football game begin at 11 a.m. with Wildcat Alley (north football practice field) open to fans.