November 23, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD - College of Notre Dame of Maryland head soccer coach and recruiting coordinator Kirsten Russell has been appointed the interim head basketball coach, effectively immediately. After the 2009-10 basketball season was canceled due to a series of injuries that depleted the program’s roster, Russell – a former college basketball student-athlete and assistant coach – will oversee the program’s administration and recruiting efforts to rebuild the College of Notre Dame basketball team in time for the 2010-11 season.

“Basketball has a proud tradition at College of Notre Dame, a tradition that includes our program’s advancement to the NCAA Tournament three years ago,” noted College of Notre Dame of Maryland Athletic Director Michael Spinner. “Under Kirsten’s leadership, we will supplement the existing members of the team with a strong recruiting class which will allow the basketball program to compete well within the Colonial States Athletic Conference and beyond. I am fully confident that Kirsten will provide the program the leadership necessary to steer our team beyond these recent challenges, and allow us to take to the court again next season,” noted Spinner.

Russell most recently served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Washington College during the 2008-09 season. Prior to her time at Washington College, she had served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at her alma mater Luther College during the 2005-06 season. Russell also managed every aspect of the College’s junior varsity program while coaching at Luther. In addition, Russell brings on the court experience as a basketball student-athlete having played three seasons at Luther.

Russell replaces Rob Long, who resigned after three seasons as the program’s head coach. She will retain her interim head coaching position until the College names a permanent head coach. A national search for a head basketball coach will begin in February, 2010.

“I would like to thank Rob Long for his dedicated service to the athletics department as our head basketball coach for the past three seasons. Rob’s passion for our athletics program and commitment to our student-athletes will be missed, and we wish him well in all of his future endeavors,” stated Spinner. “I believe that because of our academics, location, and tradition that we will be able to attract a top-notch candidate to lead our program. In the meantime, we’re in great hands with Kirsten Russell leading our program.”

For more information regarding the hiring of Kirsten Russell or the basketball program, contact College of Notre Dame of Maryland director of athletics Michael Spinner at 410-532-3586 or at mspinner@ndm.edu