Northwestern University Athletics
June Olkowski Named Head Women's Basketball Coach
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 31, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - June Olkowski, head coach of Butler University, has been named the head coach of the Northwestern women's basketball program. The announcement was made today by Northwestern athletic director Rick Taylor. Olkowski replaces Don Perrelli who retired earlier this month.
Olkowski, 38, arrives in Evanston after six impressive seasons at Butler where she averaged 19 wins a year. Her record with the Bulldogs was 114-56 (.671) and included a trip to the NCAA tournament in 1996, a second round appearance in the WNIT in 1998, a Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC) regular season crown in 1998 and an MCC tournament title in 1996.
"We are very happy to announce June as our new head coach," said Taylor. "Her accomplishments at Butler are very impressive and I have the utmost confidence that she will have a successful future at Northwestern."
Olkowski excelled as a player as well. The Philadelphia native starred for Theresa Grentz' Rutgers team from 1978 to 1982 and led the Scarlet Knights to the AIAW National Championship in her senior season. The former All-American and Wade Trophy finalist became the second player (and only woman) in Rutgers University history to have her jersey retired.
"I'm walking into a situation that has had consistent success the last two decades under Coach Perrelli," said Olkowski. "I'm looking forward to continuing the winning tradition he has laid before me at Northwestern. We have a lot of things to offer student-athletes who want to excel in the classroom and on the court -- a great location, a beautiful campus, a power conference and academic excellence. I can't wait to meet the players and begin formulating our plan."
Olkowski began her coaching career by spending three seasons as an assistant (1982-85) at the University of Maryland. During that span, the Terrapins twice advanced to the NCAA Tournament. From College Park, Olkowski traveled cross-country to become the head assistant coach at the University of Arizona (1985-87). Two years later, at the age of 27, she became the youngest head coach in NCAA history when she was elevated to the top spot of the Wildcat program. Following her four-year stint at Arizona (1987-1991), Olkowski served as an assistant coach at Auburn University for two seasons (1991-93). While she was with the Tigers, Auburn advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and was ranked No. 10 in the nation during the 1992-93 campaign.
The three-time MCC Coach of the Year garnered six years of international playing experience from high school to college, including a place on the United States' gold medal team at the 1978 National Olympic Sports Festival and the 1979 World University Games. In addition to being a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Olkowski has been a regular participant in the NCAA's YES Clinic since 1994. She graduated from Rutgers in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education and sports administration.
The Olkowski File
Notes of Interest:Born: November 2, 1960; Philadelphia, Pa. High School: St. Maria Goretti; Philadelphia, Pa. College: Rutgers University; New Brunswick, N.J. Degree: Bachelor in physical ed. and sports admin. Coaching Experience: University of Maryland, 1982-85 1982-84: Second Assistant; NCAA Tourn. and ranked No. 8 1984-85: Head Assistant; NCAA Tourn. and ranked No. 17
University of Arizona, 1985-91 1985-87: Top Asst.; first winning season in program history 1987-91: Head Coach; youngest ever in NCAA at age of 27 Auburn University, 1991-93 Assistant Coach, NCAA Sweet Sixteen and ranked No. 10 Butler University, 1993-99 Head Coach, NCAA and WNIT appearances
· Winningest coach in Butler University history, 114-56 (.671)
· Played for Theresa Grentz at Rutgers and was an All-American
· Co-captained Scarlet Knights to 1982 National Championship
· Only women's player at Rutgers to have jersey retired
· Averaged 19 wins per season during tenure at Butler
· Three-time MCC Coach of the Year
· Despite loss of top player in 1998-99, posted 17-11 record with wins over NCAA tournament participants Illinois and Oregon
· Earned 100th win at Butler with win over Grentz' ranked squad
· Overall career head coaching record: 148-138 (.518), 10 seasons
