Colorado State University Athletics
Warden Announces Women?s Basketball Staff
5/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Fort Collins, Colo. - Colorado State Head Women?s Basketball Coach Jen Warden announced Wednesday the hiring of three assistant coaches: Kristin Becker, Heath Alexander and Randie Wirt.
"Colorado State is fortunate to add these three coaches to its ranks,? said Warden. ?They believe in our mission at Colorado State, and I know we will enjoy our journey together. They bring tremendous recruiting experience as well as post-season experience to the table, and want nothing less than to continue the tradition that the Rams have established."
Becker will join the Rams as the first assistant coach. Becker previously served as an assistant coach at Kansas State from 1998-2004. During her tenure there the Wildcats broke into the USA Today Top 25 for the first time in 18 years and have been ranked nationally since. Prior to Kansas State, Becker was a member of the Vanderbilt women?s basketball staff from 1996-1998. She was an assistant coach at Loyola University in Chicago, Ill. before serving as interim head coach there in 1996. Becker received her bachelor?s degree in secondary education from Vanderbilt in 1990. She went on to earn her Master of Arts Degree with a double major in Spanish and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Southern Illinois in 1994.
?Kristin brings a mature presence, and one of the purest reputations across the country for recruiting with integrity and class,? said Warden. ?As a head coach, to have Kristin at your side is very reassuring. I look forward to working with Kristin every day.?
The second assistant coach will be Alexander. Alexander was previously an assistant coach at Oregon State where he was a member of the staff from 2001-2005. During that time the Beavers were in invited to the WNIT for three consecutive seasons. Alexander received his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and movement from the University of Oregon in 1998.
?Heath comes from the PAC-10 with a great background in game preparation, scouting, and is an accomplished post coach,? Warden stated. ?I have high expectations for what Coach Alexander will bring to the Rams in his recruiting, in his scouting and game preparation, and on the floor. He brings strong chemistry to the staff and clearly is willing to do whatever it takes to put Colorado State in the spotlight again.?
The third assistant coach will be Wirt. Wirt, a native of New Prague, Minn., played collegiately at the University of Colorado from 2000-2004 - including two seasons with Warden as one of her coaches - and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2004. Most recently Wirt competed internationally for BC Nokia in Nokia, Finland where she won the Naisten SM-sarja league championship.
?All Randie knows is winning.? said Warden. ?From high school to college to pro, Randie finds a way to get it done. I'm certain nothing will change for Randie as she graduates her talents from the floor to the sideline. She has a tremendous head for the game, and a no nonsense approach to getting it done the right way. I'm thrilled to be back on the same team as Randie!?
All three coaches will be responsible for scouting, recruiting, and player development. Becker will be the recruiting coordinator and assist in perimeter player development while Alexander and Wirt will coach the post players.
Special Note - Colorado State will host an open house from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005 in the McGraw Athletic Center Auditorium. Anyone interested in learning more about the Colorado State women's basketball program is encouraged to attend this open house. All ages are welcome to attend and admission is FREE.
What's on tap?
- Find out what Jen has in store for the Rams this season
- Learn about the new offensive and defensive philosophies
- Meet the new people associated with Colorado State women's basketball
Contact Lisa Eakins with any questions by phone at (970) 491-6569 or by e-mail at Lisa.Eakins@ColoState.Edu.
