NKU Women's Basketball Announces 2013 Summer Camp Information

The Northern Kentucky women's basketball team is offering a variety of camps to fit everyone's needs this summer.  NKU will be hosting a four-day Individual Camp (June 17-20th), two different one-day camps (Shooting Camp June 21st & Ball Handling/Scoring Camp on June 22nd), and a Youth Camp (July 15-18th), which is a half-day camp.

The NKU women's basketball program is committed to each and every girl who comes to camp, and will work hard to encourage, develop, and challenge each camper who decides to attend. Players and coaches from NKU will instruct and teach campers during all camps and participants will leave with a better understanding of individual and team play. Camps are open to all campers who are willing to work hard, try new things, and have fun while doing it!

For additional information or any questions you might have regarding camps please call 859-572-5665 or email wardma@nku.edu.

Camps are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level, and/or gender).

Dribblethon

On Saturday, May 11^th, the Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team volunteered at the Dribblethon held on Race Street in Over The Rhine in Cincinnati. The event started nine years ago with a small group of kids who dribbled the streets of Cincinnati with their own basketballs. It has now evolved into a large event with hoops set up in the street and a dribble-walk around Washington Park. The team was able to interact with many kids and teach them important basketball fundamentals. They were also able to talk with some of the kids at the Dribblethon about the importance of getting an education and always chasing your dreams, no matter what obstacles may get in the way. The Dribblethon was a great event and we cannot wait to return next year! 

Northern Kentucky University celebrates "Olympic Day"

Newport Intermediate School Olympic Day

Olympic Day!

On Wednesday May 1^st Northern Kentucky University celebrated Olympic Day with Newport Intermediate Elementary School. Third, fourth, and fifth graders from Newport Elementary spent a fun afternoon with student-athletes, coaches, and staff members from NKU. It was a great way to reward the students of Newport Intermediate on a successful year in the classroom!

At the beginning of the school year, third, fourth, and fifth grade classes were paired up with a specific NKU sports team. Throughout the course of the school year, the sports teams would visit their assigned classroom and bring with them a fun activity to share with the students in the class. It was a great way for student-athletes to connect with different kids in the community while teaching them important values of sharing, respect, and teamwork.

Olympic Day started with a big group picture at center field, followed by two hours of fun activities and games. The program ended with a luncheon between the NKU student-athletes and elementary school students. Olympic Day connected all of the students from Newport Intermediate with the student-athletes from NKU together for one special day. This event was a way for NKU to say thank you to the Newport Intermediate classrooms for inviting them into their school and lives. 

Head Coach Dawn Plitzuweit is "MC'ing" for the day!

Student-Athlete Awards Celebration

2012-2013 Student-Athlete Awards Celebrations

On Monday, April 29th Northern Kentucky University held its 1^st Annual All-Academic Team Luncheon as well as its Annual Student-Athlete Awards Celebration at the Votruba Student Union. These banquets highlighted the academic and athletic achievements of all NKU Student-Athletes throughout the past year. It was an exciting way for students, faculty, staff, and family members to join together and commemorate a successful inaugural season transitioning to Division I.

Notable academic achievements for NKU women’s basketball:

It has been a great year in the classroom for all NKU sports. This semester all student-athletes combined earned their highest GPA ever with a 3.11 GPA. Another great achievement was a combined 3.44 GPA for all female sports - the highest semester GPA ever in NKU history

Kelsey Simpson received the President's Award for the graduating senior with the highest cumulative GPA. Her cumulative GPA over her four year's at NKU was 3.97.   

“We are all so proud and excited for Kelsey.  She has epitomized the true meaning of student-athlete” said head coach Dawn Plitzuweit.  “We are just thrilled that she received this incredible honor!”

Kelsey Simpson

Rianna Gayheart earned the Female Freshman of the Year award, which goes to the most distinguished female freshman student-athlete at NKU. She played an integral role in guiding the Norse to a fourth place finish in the A-SUN and a berth in the Women’s Basketball Invitational. 

“Rianna was our most improved player as the year progressed and she continued to earn the right to have the ball in her hands in late game scenarios as she answered the call on numerous occasions,” said Plitzuweit.  “Rianna’s ability to create for herself and for her teammates at crunchtime has garnered her this great honor at NKU.”

Kayla Thacker won the award for NKU’s Female Athlete in a Supporting Role. Kayla’s constant hustle and willingness to do whatever it takes to win was vital to the team’s success. 

“Kayla was asked to do more than anyone on our team this year as she drew the assignment to guard our opponent’s top perimeter threat, and was also our leading scorer.  Kayla did not only accept this challenge, but she excelled with it!  This is a great honor for Kayla and for our entire Women’s Basketball Program,” said Plitzuweit 

Kayla Thacker (right) and Rianna Gayheart (left)

“This was a very special year for us and today’s banquets were an incredible way to honor all of our student-athletes here at NKU.”