Former Northwestern standout Karen Stack Umlauf will begin her fourth season as Director of Basketball Operations with the Wildcats' women's basketball program in 2025-26. Umlauf is responsible for facilitating team travel, film exchange, and managing the program's budget.
Umlauf returns to her alma mater after spending over 30 years as a member of the Chicago Bulls organization where she most notably served stints as the Director of Basketball Administration and Director of Team Operations and was a part of six NBA championship teams. Prior to the 2018-2019 season, Umlauf was tabbed as the first female assistant coach in the history of the franchise.
Umlauf played for Northwestern women’s basketball from 1980 to 1983, where she also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. During her time as a Wildcat, Northwestern finished in the top three of the Big Ten every season and made their first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1982. After her collegiate career, Umlauf played professionally in France for one season before joining the Bulls organization.
After departing the Bulls in 2020, Umlauf worked as a women’s basketball analyst for the Big Ten Network during the 2020-2021 season and as a volunteer coach for Full Package Athletics.
Most recently, Umlauf served as an assistant coach for the Carmel Catholic High School’s girls basketball team during the 2021-2022 season, helping the Corsairs win the IHSA Class 3A state championship.
Umlauf is enshrined in the Oak Forest High School HOF (2012), Chicagoland Sports HOF (2014), and Basketball Coaches Association HOF (2022).
Umlauf returns to her alma mater after spending over 30 years as a member of the Chicago Bulls organization where she most notably served stints as the Director of Basketball Administration and Director of Team Operations and was a part of six NBA championship teams. Prior to the 2018-2019 season, Umlauf was tabbed as the first female assistant coach in the history of the franchise.
Umlauf played for Northwestern women’s basketball from 1980 to 1983, where she also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. During her time as a Wildcat, Northwestern finished in the top three of the Big Ten every season and made their first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1982. After her collegiate career, Umlauf played professionally in France for one season before joining the Bulls organization.
After departing the Bulls in 2020, Umlauf worked as a women’s basketball analyst for the Big Ten Network during the 2020-2021 season and as a volunteer coach for Full Package Athletics.
Most recently, Umlauf served as an assistant coach for the Carmel Catholic High School’s girls basketball team during the 2021-2022 season, helping the Corsairs win the IHSA Class 3A state championship.
Umlauf is enshrined in the Oak Forest High School HOF (2012), Chicagoland Sports HOF (2014), and Basketball Coaches Association HOF (2022).