The new East Central University women’s basketball head coach Matt Cole has been very busy since he was hired to lead the Lady Tigers back in April. Besides signing his first recruit within a month of being hired, Cole was on the lookout for an assistant coach and he has found the right individual in Heather Robben.
Robben, who will officially start her duties at ECU August 1, 2014, comes to the Lady Tigers after spending the last two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Emporia State University. During her time on the bench with the Hornets she helped the team to two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament titles.
"I’m extremely excited to add Heather to the Tiger family," Cole stated. "She brings a wealth of playing experience and has been a part of a coaching staff that has had tremendous success in the MIAA and on the national level. She has a great future in coaching ahead and I look forward to working with her to face the challenges of the GAC."
While at ESU, Robben was responsible for scouting reports, film exchange, travel arrangements and assisting with recruiting, summer camp and other administrative duties.
Before assuming a coaching role at ESU, Robben spent one season playing for the Hornets where she led the team with 14.0 points per game and added 3.6 rebounds per outing. The All-MIAA Second Team selection shot .403 from the field and .359 from beyond the arc. The guard helped ESU to the NCAA Central Regional Championship game and was named to the 2012 All-Central Regional Tournament Team.
Before heading to ESU, Robben spent a season at Wichita State University and spent her first two collegiate seasons at Hutchinson Community College. While playing for the Blue Dragons, she became the school’s first two-time NJCAA All-American and helped the team to the NJCAA nationals. She set HCC’s all-time scoring record with 1,072 points and holds the Blue Dragons records for career free-throw percentage (.853) and freshman free-throw percentage (.870).
Robben was a standout at Maize High School in Maize, Kan., where as a senior she was named to the Class 6A All-Kansas State Second Team and All-Ark Valley/Chisolm Trail League Second Team. She averaged 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Robben earned a Master of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation in May 2014 and a Bachelor of Science in Business (Marketing) in December 2012 from Emporia State. She also earned an Associate in Arts from Hutchinson Community College in May 2010. During her collegiate career, Robben was a standout in the classroom, claiming spots on her school’s honor roll every semester.
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