LACEY, Wash. - Saint Martin's University is thrilled to welcome Natalie Marlowe as the new Head Women's Basketball Coach, taking the reins of the esteemed Saints basketball program.
Following a highly successful national search, "on behalf of our committee, the women's basketball team and valued campus partners who participated in it, I am pleased to announce the hiring of Natalie Marlowe as the program's next head coach," said Director of Athletics, Steve O'Brien. "Her breadth of experience, playing at the DI level, coaching at multiple levels, including within DII's highly competitive west region, and leading a program turnaround as the head coach at Hartnell College offer insight into the leadership that she will bring to the Saints' program."
With an impressive coaching background and a commitment to fostering excellence both on and off the court, Marlowe is set to lead the team to new heights in her role as the Saints' new Head Women's Basketball Coach. In her most recent role as Head Coach of Hartnell College in California, Marlowe turned the program around from just one win in her first full season to 22 in the most recent year with a trip to the CCCAA playoffs.
Marlowe's coaching journey spans over a decade, during which she has made a significant impact on numerous collegiate programs across the country. After graduating from Chicago State with the second-most assists in program history, Marlowe had stops at Hendrix College, University of Incarnate Word, University of Texas-Dallas, and Cal State-Monterey Bay. Marlowe's commitment to fostering a culture of academic achievement and personal growth aligns perfectly with Saint Martin's University's values.
Marlowe expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Saints community, stating, "I could not be more excited to join the Saint Martin's family as the next Head Women's Basketball Coach. The University's commitment to academic excellence, the supportive community, and the competitive athletics environment make it an ideal place for student-athletes to thrive. I'd like to thank Steve and the search committee for their transparency and trust in my vision for the women's basketball program at SMU. I look forward to working with and building impactful relationships with our players, staff, and university community to achieve new levels of success. I am truly honored and grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to get started."
With her appointment as Head Women's Basketball Coach, Natalie Marlowe will lead the Saints towards continued success in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) and beyond. Her strong leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to developing well-rounded student-athletes will undoubtedly shape the future of the women's basketball program.
O'Brien expressed optimism for the program heading into Marlowe's tenure and gratitude for the services of Dr. Kurt Patberg, of Mammoth Sports Consulting, who assisted with this search. "I am confident that Natalie's competitive spirit and proven track record will have an immediate impact for the Saints' standing within the GNAC. Kurt's experience and industry knowledge were instrumental in our ability to identify and recruit this caliber of candidate."
