May 16, 2000

Karin Nicholls Resigns From Head Women's Basketball Coaching Post

Head women's basketball coach Karin Nicholls has resigned her position at Truman to accept the head women's basketball coaching job at the University of Texas-Pan American, Truman director of athletics Jerry Wollmering announced today.

"I'm looking forward to the new challenge of turning around another program and building it into a national program like we've done here at Truman," said Nicholls, who compiled a 71-64 (.526) career record in five years with the Bulldogs. "It's a career move for me and a Division I opportunity that I've worked very hard to attain."

Nicholls, who has more Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association victories (39) than any other coach in program history, leaves for the job in Edinburg, Texas on the heels of three straight appearances in the MIAA postseason tournament. Over the last two seasons, her squads have posted a combined 39-18 (.684) overall record, moving her to second on the program's career wins and winning percentage lists and marking the best two-year run in the 28-year history of women's basketball at the University.

"This is a great loss for Truman, but an outstanding opportunity for Karin," Wollmering said. "Her record and accomplishments speak for themselves. She has proven she can build a winning program with gifted student-athletes who have achieved both athletic and academic excellence. I wish her the best."

In 1998-99, Nicholls guided the Bulldogs to a 22-9 record, their first winning season since 1990-91 and the best mark in school history. That year, the team also collected its first-ever postseason victory and advanced to the NCAA Division II "Sweet 16" before falling in the South Central Regional championship game. In 1999-2000, Truman finished 17-9 and fourth in the MIAA with a 12-6 mark.

Nicholls, 32, came to Truman in 1995 from the University of Nebraska, where she served three years as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. She also was a graduate assistant coach at the University of Illinois from 1990-92.

A native of Decatur, Ill., Nicholls played collegiate basketball at Bradley University (Ill.), where she was a four-year letterwinner, Gateway Conference freshman of the year and an all-league player as a junior and senior. In 1990, she received Bradley's highest honor, the Alumni B Club Athlete of the Year Award. Four years later, she became only the second female inducted into the Bradley Hall of Fame.

"I'd like to thank Truman State University for the committment they made over the past five years and I'd also like to thank my players and staff for everything that they've given to me and to the program," Nicholls said. "I look for them to continue to attain great things in the future."

The search for a replacement will begin immediately.

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