Northwestern University Athletics
Kate Popovec Returning to Northwestern as Director of Player Development
6/12/2017 11:27:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Kate Popovec is returning to Northwestern as the director of player development, head coach Joe McKeown announced Monday.
"We are excited to have Kate back on our staff," McKeown said. "She is a big part of Northwestern women's basketball, and she bleeds purple. Her experience both as a student-athlete and staff member is invaluable. She is a great role model and success story."
Popovec previously held the same role under McKeown at Northwestern from 2014-16. She was then hired as an assistant coach at Colgate, a position she held during the 2016-17 season.
Prior to coaching, Popovec attended and played at Northwestern from 2011-13 during her junior and senior years after transferring from Pittsburgh. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors each season at Northwestern.
Following her senior campaign, Popovec was chosen as Northwestern's female recipient of the 2013 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship award. She was also named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar after the 2012-13 season.
After obtaining both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern, Popovec spent the 2013-14 season as the director of operations for the La Salle women's basketball team.
"I am forever grateful to Coach McKeown, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips, Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Women's Administrator Janna Blais, and Nothwestern for their continued faith in me," Popovec said. "This is home, and I truly believe that the student-athlete experience provided here is the best in the country. I am thankful to be able to contribute to the excellence of Northwestern women's basketball and return home to my alma mater."
"We are excited to have Kate back on our staff," McKeown said. "She is a big part of Northwestern women's basketball, and she bleeds purple. Her experience both as a student-athlete and staff member is invaluable. She is a great role model and success story."
Popovec previously held the same role under McKeown at Northwestern from 2014-16. She was then hired as an assistant coach at Colgate, a position she held during the 2016-17 season.
Prior to coaching, Popovec attended and played at Northwestern from 2011-13 during her junior and senior years after transferring from Pittsburgh. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors each season at Northwestern.
Following her senior campaign, Popovec was chosen as Northwestern's female recipient of the 2013 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship award. She was also named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar after the 2012-13 season.
After obtaining both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern, Popovec spent the 2013-14 season as the director of operations for the La Salle women's basketball team.
"I am forever grateful to Coach McKeown, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips, Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Women's Administrator Janna Blais, and Nothwestern for their continued faith in me," Popovec said. "This is home, and I truly believe that the student-athlete experience provided here is the best in the country. I am thankful to be able to contribute to the excellence of Northwestern women's basketball and return home to my alma mater."
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