June 22, 2010

Women’s Basketball Hires Former Lumberjack as Assistant Coach

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona University announced Laura Dinkins will serve as an assistant coach for the Lumberjack women’s basketball team for the 2010-11 season. Dinkins returns to her alma mater after playing two seasons of professional basketball in Europe.

Dinkins will enter her first season as an assistant coach with the Lumberjacks after a decorated playing career from 2003-08. She was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year in her junior season and was selected All-Big Sky second team as a senior. She is second all-time at NAU with 714 rebounds and second all-time with 252 rebounds in a single season. She ranks first in minutes played at NAU with 1,144.

Dinkins was a four-time NAU Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Award recipient and Big Sky All-Academic honoree in 2004.

After graduating with a health sciences degree, Dinkins, who is originally from Rialto, Calif., played professional basketball overseas for two seasons. She most recently played in Germany for the Chem Cats who she helped lead to a Division II Championship. Dinkins also played a season in The Netherlands for the Perik Jumpers.

“I am very excited about the addition of Laura Dinkins to our staff, said head coach Laurie Kelly. “She brings so much to our program in different areas. She is a former NAU basketball player and understands what it takes to win in the Big Sky.”

As part of the NAU coaching staff, Dinkins will assist with game preparation, coordinate team travel, and oversee community service done by student-athletes and staff.

DID YOU KNOW…Thirty-five Northern Arizona University student-athletes and department student assistants participated in spring commencement ceremonies on the NAU campus and were commissioned degrees as part of the Class of 2009.