Purdue University Northwest Director of Athletics Rick Costello announced the appointment of Courtney Locke as Head Women’s Basketball Coach.
Locke brings over 13 years of NCAA Division I experience as an assistant coach at Texas San Antonio, California Santa Barbara, Central Florida, Lipscomb and most recently at the University of Hawaii as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
“On behalf of the Purdue Northwest Pride, I am excited to appoint Courtney Locke as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach,” Director of Athletics Rick Costello said.
“Courtney is a rising star in the collegiate coaching profession. Her energy, experience and enthusiasm will be integral as the PNW Pride compete in NCAA Division II. I look forward to Courtney’s amazing impact as she develops, guides and leads the Purdue Northwest women’s basketball program to excellence.”
Locke has experienced outstanding success as a coach assisting four programs to conference titles and NCAA tournament appearances. Throughout her career, Locke has developed 24 all-conference players highlighted by WNBA forward Emma Cannon.
“First and foremost I want to thank Chancellor Keon and Rick Costello for this opportunity and for believing in me,” Locke said. “PNW truly values and is committed to the student-athlete experience. I am grateful and excited to lead the Pride women’s basketball program and be a part of the PNW family. I want these young women to be champions in the classroom, community and on the court. With hard work and relentless effort I believe it can happen!”
At UT San Antonio, Locke assisted the Roadrunners to their most successful season in school history en route to its first Southland Conference Tournament Championship. They also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
In a pair of separate stints at Central Florida, Locke was instrumental in developing Briahanna Jackson, Conference USA Freshman of the Year, who broke the school record for most steals in a single season.
She also helped lead UCF to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009 and 2011 as well as two Conference USA Tournament Championships.
During her time at UC Santa Barbara, Locke assisted the Gauchos to the 2012 Big West Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
As an Associate Head Coach for Lipscomb University, Locke assisted in the development of two All-Conference players, one All-Freshman team member, six all-academic team members, one ASUN Scholar Athlete of the Year and a Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List member.
Locke was a four-year letter winner under legendary head coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers University from 2002-2006. She helped lead the Scarlet Knights to a pair of Big East regular season Championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances, an Elite Eight appearance in 2005 and Sweet Sixteen showing in 2006.
