Lawrence Technological University director of athletics Mary Ann Meltzer has announced the hiring of Paige Wright as the next Blue Devils women’s basketball head coach. Wright started her duties this week.
Wright comes to Lawrence Tech after spending the previous two seasons at fellow NAIA member Huntington (Ind.) University. As the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, she coached five all-conference selections, spearheaded the team’s defense and was responsible for post player development. She assisted in all facets of the program including scouting reports, recruitment of student-athletes, practice, fundraising and academics.”
“I’m blessed and honored to be selected as the next head women’s basketball coach at Lawrence Tech. I’d like to thank Mary Ann Meltzer and the entire search committee for giving me this opportunity,” said Wright. “I’d also like to thank my family and (Huntington) coach Darby Maggard for being so supportive throughout this entire process. My previous experiences at other institutions have prepared me to lead this program and I’m excited to get started!”
No stranger to the state of Michigan, Wright served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Davenport University in Grand Rapids during the 2022-23 season. She helped with all phases of the Panthers program including day-to-day operations, recruiting, scouting reports and practice.
“Paige stood out from a well-qualified applicant pool because of her combined NAIA and NCAA experience at Huntington and Davenport. She embraces the NAIA’s Champions of Character Core Values and has recruiting connections in the state of Michigan as well as regionally,” stated Meltzer.
“I join the search committee in welcoming Paige to the LTU Community as her skillset makes her the best fit to lead our women’s basketball program to the next level.”
Wright earned her master’s degree in sports management from Minot (N.D.) State University, where she served on the Beavers coaching staff. As the graduate assistant coach from 2016-18, she helped contribute to a quick turnaround for a program that won four games in 2016-17 to 14 victories the following season and was named the NCAA’s 10th most-improved Division II team in 2018.
Wright was graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 2016 with a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies. She was a two-year member of the Vulcans, helping the team to a 57-10 record (.851) and a pair of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament titles during that span. She was a junior when Cal U captured the 2015 NCAA Division II national championship with a 32-4 mark as a senior starter.
A Fort Wayne, Ind., product, Wright also has coaching experience at the junior college level as the assistant coach at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Mont., from 2018-21. She coached three All-Americans and six all- conference selections. The program ranked nationally in the top-25 in team grade-point average during all three seasons of her tenure.
Wright succeeds Grace Howrigon who accepted the women’s basketball head coaching position at D-II Lake Superior State University in May after five seasons at the helm of the LTU Blue Devils.
Tagged with: NAIA
