Ute Otley, who has led Champlain Valley Union (CVU) High School (VT) to eight state titles since the 2011-12 season, has been tabbed to lead the Norwich University women’s basketball program. From 2012-16, her team’s established a new Vermont consecutive wins record as they notched 96 straight victories. In 13 seasons as the CVU head coach, the team reached at least the state semifinals every year other than the covid shortened season when they finished the season 9-0.
The Cadets return several key players from last season as they look forward to the 2024-25 campaign. Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.), already a member of the 1,000-point club, averaged 19.6 points per game on her way to being named CSC Academic All-District and Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Third Team. Fellow CSC Academic All-District award winner Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) just completed a stellar campaign. The dominant post player averaged 16 points per game, led the team with 10.4 rebounds per game, and currently ranks second all-time in program history with a 55.6% field goal percentage. Local product Sage MacAuley (Barre, Vt.) finished her freshman year as the second leading rebounder, third leading scorer, and fifth on the team in assists.
“I am incredibly excited to welcome Coach Otley as our Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Norwich,” explained Norwich University Director of Athletics Ed Hockenbury. “I have long been an admirer of Ute as a coach, and as a mentor and role model for young women. She is not only a proven winner, but she has an amazing combination of coaching experience, competitive desire, basketball knowledge, and perspective on her role in helping to develop players on and off the court. I have confidence that her many attributes as a coach and leader will translate very well to the college level, and when Coach Zacher informed me of his retirement, it was my belief that we would be very fortunate to have Ute take over the program. I look forward to supporting Ute as she builds on the strong foundation left by Coach Zacher, and to a bright future for Norwich Women’s Basketball under her leadership.”
“First, I would like to thank Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics, and the rest of the search committee for the o
pportunity to lead the Norwich University women’s basketball program,” said Coach Ute Otley. “Norwich University is a special place that reflects the same characteristics we are looking for in the women’s program – dedication, hard work, belief in something bigger than yourself, and meeting every challenge with determination and confidence. I can’t wait to get started, meet with the team, and jump into recruiting to prepare for the upcoming season.”
Coach Otley’s CVU career by the numbers:
- 270-17 record (.940)
- 96 consecutive wins (Vermont record) between 2012-16
- 22 players have gone on to play at the collegiate level
- 8 state championships
- 6 VBCA Coach of the Year awards
- 4 Vermont Gatorade Players of the Year (2013 & 14, 2015, 2016, 2021)
Otley has continuously demonstrated success throughout her basketball career. The former Valparaiso (IN) High School standout was named first team All-State as a senior. The honors from her high school playing career continued when in 2011 she was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Silver Anniversary Team. While playing collegiately at Dartmouth College, she was a key member of four Ivy League Championships, from 1987-90, and played in 103 games. Otley, and her husband Brian, are the proud parents of three children – Sadie, Mason, and Cole.
Tagged with: D3 GNAC Norwich
