After four years at the helm, Snow College women’s head basketball coach Natalie Visger is leaving to pursue other interests on the other side of the world. Visger just completed her most successful season at Snow from a won-loss standpoint – 21 wins and nine losses. She leaves with an overall record of 65-60 at Snow along with the nation’s best record the past two years for scholastic achievement among all junior colleges nationwide.
Visger took the reins at Snow in the fall of 2011 and led the Badgers that season to the Region 18 championship and their first ever appearance in March 2012 in the women’s NJCAA national tournament in Salina, Kansas. Following two seasons with sub-.500 records, Visger’s Badgers rebounded this season with a record of 21-9 after starting the season with 14-game win streak when they were ranked as high as No. 12 nationally.
Visger played collegiately at Montana State University where she still ranks 12th in the school’s career scoring history. Following graduation she spent three years playing professionally in Germany and then was an assistant coach at her alma mater for five years before coming to Snow. After four successful years at Snow, Visger will be moving with her family to New Zealand where she hopes to continue coaching while expanding her knowledge of the game and establishing recruiting contacts.
"Natalie has done a great job as our basketball coach," said Snow College athletic director Rob Nielson. "Her success on the court and in the classroom shows she is able to recruit great student-athletes." Under Visger, Snow College was recognized both of the past two seasons by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association as having the highest team grade point average (GPA) among all junior colleges in the nation. The GPA listing for the current academic year will not be available until June.
"I want to thank Rob Nielson and all of the Snow College community for the past four years for their support and guidance," Visger said. "Coaching and teaching at Snow has been exceptionally rewarding, challenging and fun, and I will miss my time here dearly."
Visger leaves behind a program in excellent shape with two freshmen guards (Kaitlyn Hurley and Savannah Park) being named this past weekend to the All-Scenic West teams. "The women’s basketball program has a bright future and most of all I will miss working with the players, my coaching staff, athletic staff and the Snow students on a daily basis," Visger said. "I am proud to have been a part of the outstanding Snow tradition, as well as the evolution of Snow’s program. My family and I are excited for our new adventure and we will be following the Badgers from New Zealand."
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