Dawn Plitzuweit special section |
Photo gallery |
Press conference video
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University entered a new era in women's basketball Thursday afternoon when athletic director Dr. Scott Eaton announced that
Dawn Plitzuweit has been selected as the Norse's head coach.
Plitzuweit, who spent the past five years as the associate head coach at the University of Michigan, replaces longtime NKU head coach Nancy Winstel. After winning 636 games in 29 seasons and building the program into a national powerhouse at the Division II level, Winstel announced her retirement March 28.
"I am extremely thrilled and honored to be named the fourth coach in the rich history of Northern Kentucky women's basketball,” Plitzuweit said. “I would like to thank Dr. Scott Eaton and President (James) Votruba for this incredible opportunity to lead the Norse into the next era of Division I women's basketball.
“I would also like to thank coach Nancy Winstel for all of her dedication in building this championship-caliber program at NKU. I am eager to get started and am looking forward to building relationships with the current players, our incoming freshmen, the coaches in the area, our future recruits, our alumni, the fans, and the entire NKU community."
Plitzuweit helped Michigan post a 20-12 record and advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2011-12. The Wolverines also defeated Illinois in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament last season.
“We had many outstanding candidates, but Dawn really stood out and we are thrilled to have her as our head coach,” Eaton said. “Trying to follow Nancy is not an easy task. However, I know Dawn is excited about the opportunity as we make the transition into Division I, and I am confident she is going to do a great job.”
Prior to Michigan, Plitzuweit spent five years as the head coach at Grand Valley State University. Under her direction, the Lakers earned four postseason berths and won the NCAA Division II national championship in 2005-06. Plitzuweit compiled a 117-39 (.750) record at Grand Valley State, including a 68-22 (.756) mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
During the 2006 Great Lakes Regional semifinals at Springfield, Mo., Plitzuweit guided Grand Valley State to a 91-70 win over NKU. The following season, Plitzuweit's team participated in NKU's Travel America Classic and coasted to a 74-58 victory over the host Norse in Regents Hall.
In 2002-03, NKU and Grand Valley State met twice. The Lakers won the regular-season encounter, 63-62, at Findlay, Ohio, in Plitzuweit's first game as head coach at Grand Valley State. NKU took the rematch in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional with a 69-63 triumph at Indianapolis.
“We were very familiar with Dawn and her ability to get the best and the most out of her players,” Eaton said. “She knows the game, is an outstanding recruiter and a great person. Her players have excelled in the classroom as well as on the court, and she is a great fit for NKU as we make the transition to Division I.”
Plitzuweit was named the Women's College Coach of the Year by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan in 2006, as well as the Molten/Women's Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year. GVSU senior forward Niki Reams garnered her second consecutive GLIAC Player of the Year award, the first player to do so since Plitzuweit accomplished the feat in 1994 and '95 for Michigan Tech.
“Dawn has been successful everywhere she has coached,” said Dr. Votruba. “Nancy Winstel helped build an outstanding NKU women's basketball program, and Dawn has the experience and enthusiasm to lead the program to a successful transition to the Atlantic Sun Conference.”
During her playing days at Michigan Tech, Plitzuweit was a four-year starter (1990-91, `92-95) and led the Huskies to a 99-22 overall record. During her career, Plitzuweit helped her team to one GLIAC Tournament title and four trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Plitzuweit closed out her career as MTU's all-time leader in rebounds (866), assists (439), and steals (331), while ranking second in points (1,398) and games played (121).
Her individual achievements include back-to-back GLIAC Player of the Year awards, three consecutive all-conference first-team honors, and three league all-defensive team nods. Plitzuweit was a Division II Bulletin second team All-America selection in 1995 in addition to being a two-time Kodak All-America honorable mention (1994-95).
She earned WBCA All-Academic accolades in 1993-94 and was named Michigan's NCAA Woman of the Year in 1995. Plitzuweit graduated from Michigan Tech in 1995 with a degree in biological sciences.
A native of West Bend, Wis., Plitzuweit and her husband, Jay, have a son, A.J., and a daughter, Lexi.
The Dawn Plitzuweit File
Birthday: October 31, 1972
Hometown: West Bend, Wis.
High School: Kettle Moraine Lutheran (Jackson, Wis.)
College: Michigan Tech, 1995 (B.S. Biological Sciences)
Family: Married, husband Jay; children A.J. and Lexi
Pronunciation: Plitts-zoo-white
