May 3, 2005
Release courtesy of Larry Happel, Central College sports information director

PELLA, IOWA . . . After two seasons at Mount Ida College of Newton, Mass., Natalie Nakic (NAA-kich) has been named head women’s basketball coach at Central College.

Nakic replaces Mick Angel, who resigned after four seasons with the Dutch.

A native of Onatario, Nakic served as head coach at Mount Ida for the past two years, piloting the Mustangs to a 34-19 record, including a 19-7 campaign in 2003-04, the best in school history. Nakic was also head women’s cross country coach for three seasons.

Previously Nakic spent two years as assistant women’s basketball coach and head JV coach at Springfield College (Mass.) where she helped the Pride earned two NCAA Division III tournament berths.

Nakic was a four-year collegiate player at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. She earned a master’s of science degree in motor learning and control at Springfield.

At Central Nakic inherits a Dutch squad that posted a 7-19 record in 2004-05. The program has a strong tradition, winning the 1993 NCAA Division III championship, earning five NCAA tournament berths and winning or sharing six Iowa Conference titles.

“I think Natalie is a winner,” said athletics director Al Dorenkamp. “She’s demonstrated in her playing career and coaching career that she wants to be around successful programs and she’s got a passion to be a successful basketball coach. She’s a relationship-builder who will get our program moving in the right direction.

“Natalie is also a strong educator. She understands and values the Division III philosophy.”

Nakic becomes just the third coach in the women’s basketball program’s 32-year history. Gary Boeyink coached the squad from 1973-2001, preceding Angel.

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