SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco State women's basketball head coach Dr. Joaquin Wallace announced the hiring Friday of Nichole Schutte as assistant coach. Schutte comes to the Gators after serving two years in the same capacity at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Ore.
“I am very excited with the addition of Nichole to our staff,” Wallace said. “I firmly believe that we have added a quality person who embodies many of the core competencies that I felt were essential in preparing our student-athletes for the upcoming season.”
While at WOU, Schutte was responsible for developing post players, coordinating the strength and conditioning program, implementing individual defensive fundamentals, as well as recruiting. During the 2009-10 campaign, Schutte helped coach a student-athlete to a spot on the All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference first team for the second year in a row.
“I am thrilled to be joining the coaching staff here at San Francisco State,” Schutte said. “I believe this team has a ton of potential, and l look forward to a future of great success here.”
Prior to her stint at WOU, Schutte was two-sport standout at Northwest Nazarene University in her hometown of Nampa, Idaho, competing in basketball, as well as track and field. During her senior season in 2007-08, she averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27 games, helping the Crusaders earn a berth in the NCAA Division II West Regionals. For her efforts, Schutte captured second-team All-GNAC honors.
On the track, Schutte was a three-time conference champion in 2008, winning the 100-meter dash at the GNAC meet to go along with league titles in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. As the third runner on the 4x400 relay, Schutte was part of the NNU team that established a new conference record with a time of 3:51.47.
“Nichole's work ethic was evident during her playing career at Northwest Nazarene,” Wallace added. “That weighed heavily in my decision to bring her on board this season, coupled with her pursuit of higher education. Nichole's hiring mirrors the same excitement I share for many in our outstanding young class for this upcoming season.”
After receiving her bachelor's degree in applied studies with emphases in counseling and kinesiology from NNU in 2007, Schutte earned a master's degree in rehabilitation counselor education from WOU this past June.
The Gators open their 2010-11 regular-season schedule on the road when they square off against host school Seattle Pacific in the first game of CCAA/GNAC Challenge on November 19,beginning at 5 p.m.
