Story Published:
Jul 30, 2010 at 5:06 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Jul 30, 2010 at 5:06 PM MDT
July 29, 2010
TACOMA, Wash. – Loree Payne, an athletics professional with seven years of collegiate coaching experience and extensive recruiting ties in the West, has been selected as the head women's basketball coach by University of Puget Sound. Payne, a Washington basketball standout, emerged as the leading candidate among a strong and diverse pool, after a nationwide search.
“I am so excited to be part of the University of Puget Sound family,” said Payne. “This is an amazing opportunity at an excellent university, with a great tradition in academics and women's basketball. I feel honored to be chosen to continue the tradition of success that has been built by Coach Barcomb and the alumnae of this program.”
Payne, a native of Havre, Mont., has spent all of her playing and coaching career in the Northwest. For the last three years Payne was an assistant coach at her alma mater, University of Washington. At UW, she served as the recruiting coordinator for the Huskies, as well as working with the perimeter players. In addition, she has helped guide current Huskies to successful academic careers as the team’s academic liaison.
“We are extremely impressed with Loree's enthusiasm, passion, and desire to be a part of the Puget Sound community,” stated Athletic Director Amy Hackett. “She offers the confidence to create a positive environment in which student-athletes can grow, thrive and excel in all aspects of their college experiences.”
Payne earlier spent three years as an assistant coach at University of Portland, following a year of coaching at Northwest Nazarene University.
As a player Payne was dominant on the court as well as in the classroom. After being named to the Pacific-10 All-Freshmen team in 2000, Payne led the Huskies to three consecutive postseason appearances from 2001-03, including a berth in the Elite 8 of the 2001 Women’s NCAA Tournament.
She was also a two-time All-Pac-10 player as a junior and senior, as well as a three-time All-Academic Pac-10 honoree, rounding out a stellar playing career. Payne’s name still appears in the Huskies' record books where she currently holds or shares six school records.
After her freshman year Payne was selected to play for the 2000 USA national team. She helped the USA team to a gold medal finish in the Jone’s Cup in Taiwan. She was also inducted into the Montana High School Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
“My philosophy and values as a coach are in strong alignment with the mission of the university and the athletic department, making Puget Sound the perfect fit,” added Payne. “The Pacific Northwest is my home and I look forward to a long tenure here as the head women’s basketball coach.”
Payne will fill the vacancy left by Suzy Barcomb, who took a job as head coach at Cal State East Bay in June. Barcomb left the Loggers, after 13 years, as the program’s most successful coach in history, with a 261-92 record.
