The Pacific Lutheran University athletic department and Athletic Director Mike Snyder announced the hiring of Lee Aduddell on Wednesday as the head coach for the Lute women’s basketball program.
“Lee’s breadth of experience at the Division III level and at high-academic Division I institutions make her an ideal fit for PLU,” said Athletic Director Mike Snyder.
“Lee is a proven recruiter that understands the Division III philosophy and we fully expect her to hit the ground running in building the PLU women’s basketball program back into a contender in the Northwest Conference.”
Aduddell joins the Lutes after spending the 2021-2022 season with Division I Colgate University of the Patriot League where she served as the recruiting coordinator and post coach. Prior to Colgate, Aduddell spent three seasons at Rice University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, helping the Owls experience a renaissance on the court that included winning two Conference USA regular season titles and trips to the NCAA Tournament and WNIT.
While at Rice, the Owls compiled an impressive 72-22 record on the hardwood, advancing to the second round of the WNIT in 2017-18 before winning the CUSA regular season and tournament titles in 2018-19, a season that ended with an NCAA Tournament berth and a school record 28 wins. Aduddell’s final season at Rice saw the Owls win the CUSA regular season title before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the postseason.
As recruiting coordinator, Aduddell brought in two consecutive recruiting classes that ranked No. 1 in CUSA, including recruiting the No. 1 center in the country. While on staff, Aduddell coached five All CUSA players, a two-time CUSA Player of the Year, a two-time CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, and a WNBA Draft Pick.
“I’m honored to be named the next head women’s basketball coach at Pacific Lutheran University. I would like to thank Mike Snyder, Jennifer Childress-White, and the entire search committee for trusting me to lead this program forward. PLU is a special place with endless potential and I’m so excited for the opportunity to coach these young women,” said Aduddell.
Prior to Rice, Aduddell had stops as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (2013-17) and as a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma (2011-13).
Aduddell began her coaching career at the Division III level, serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas from 2008-11. While with the Tigers, Aduddell helped the program win 51 games in the three seasons, including advancing to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship game in 2009.
An Edmond, Oklahoma, native, Aduddell received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Abilene Christian University in 2008 and a master’s in athletic administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2013.
Aduddell will officially start at PLU on Monday, April 25.
