The University of Akron head women’s basketball coach Melissa Jackson has announced that Nicole Orr has been elevated to director of operations for the Zips’ women’s basketball program after having spent the last two seasons on staff as a graduate assistant.
Orr’s hiring is pending approval by the University’s Board of Trustees.
“Nicole is a rising star in this profession, and I am so happy to be able to name her our director of basketball operations,” commented Jackson. “She will positively impact our program each and every day. I am grateful that she chose to start her full-time career as a Zip. For the last two years as our GA, Nicole has had a hand in many different areas of our program and her familiarity within our program will be essential to our success. I’m excited for her to have bigger role and know our players and staff will benefit from that.”
No stranger to the Akron women’s basketball program, Orr has spent the last two seasons serving as a graduate assistant for the Zips. She was responsible for the recruitment and management of practice team members and managers, along with partnering with marketing department to increase involvement at athletic events with the student body and hosting the Zips’ women’s basketball 2020 STEM Clinic. Additionally, she served as an intern in Akron’s compliance department a year ago.
A native of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Orr capped her collegiate career playing for Northern Illinois after being a member of the Butler women’s basketball squad as a freshman and sophomore.
As a senior for the Huskies during the 2017-18 campaign, Orr appeared in 20 games, including four starts, and averaged 3.3 points per contest. She excelled off the court as well earning Academic All-Mid-American Conference accolades as a senior.
She persevered through injuries while at Butler to play in 27 games, including posting 4.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per tilt as a redshirt freshman during the 2015-16 season.
Orr earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Northern Illinois in 2018 and a master’s degree in sport management from Akron in 2020.
https://gozips.com/news/2020/10/13/akron-names-orr-director-of-womens-basketball-operations.aspx
