Northern Kentucky University Director of Athletics Ken Bothof has announced a change at the top of NKU’s men’s basketball program, as Dave Bezold will no longer serve as head coach of the Norse.
“This is difficult given Dave’s role in our university and our community,” said Bothof. “Dave is a good man and has given much of himself to the development of the young men in our basketball program. I am grateful for his service and wish him and his family well.”
NKU just completed its third year of the four-year transitional period to Division I. Bezold, who played at Covington Holy Cross, was 194-133 in 11 seasons overall. But during the Norse’s three years in Division I, his record was just 33-54.
NKU was 13-17 this year, including a 7-7 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Northern lost to Lipscomb 76-73 in the A Sun Conference tournament’s first round.
A national search for a new coach will begin immediately.
During NKU’s final season at the NCAA Division II level in 2011-12, Bezold guided NKU to a 23-7 record. The Norse advanced to the championship game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, where they lost to Southern Indiana. NKU also earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament as Bezold led the team to a 20-win season for the fifth time in six years.
In the 2010-11 campaign, Bezold’s team posted a 21-9 record and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament.
Bezold, who spent 14 years as an assistant coach at NKU, led his Norse to a third-straight Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division championship during the 2008-09 season. NKU posted a 24-7 record, won the GLVC Tournament championship for the first time since 2003 and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the third consecutive year.
NKU women earn top seed, host Marshall in Women’s Basketball Invitational
The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team has received a postseason berth in the Women’s Basketball Invitational for the third-straight year, and the Norse will host Marshall in a first-round game in The Bank of Kentucky Center on Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m.
“This group of young ladies is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue playing,” NKU head coach Dawn Plitzuweit said. “We look forward to the chance to take the court again in practice and in live action. Our goal throughout the entire season is to focus on improving daily and that mission remains the same. We are fortunate enough to continue that mission and get back at it.”
NKU, which earned a No. 1 seed in the tournament, enters the WBI with a 19-13 overall record. The Norse advanced to the Atlantic Sun Conference championship game in their first season eligible after earning the No. 3 seed, posting an 8-6 mark in Atlantic Sun action.
The WBI is a 16-team tournament entering its sixth year. A year ago, NKU earned the program’s first NCAA Division I postseason victory with an 84-72 first-round win over McNeese State in The Bank of Kentucky Center. The College of Charleston ended NKU’s season for the second season in a row, handing the Norse a 60-54 loss in Charleston, South Carolina, two days later.
Marshall, which is a No. 8 seed, enters Thursday’s contest 16-14 overall after dropping a 67-52 decision to Charlotte in the first-round of the Conference USA tournament. The Thundering Herd posted an 8-10 mark in conference play.
NKU holds a 5-0 record in the all-time series with Marshall. The two teams have not met since the 1981-82 season, however, when the Norse held on for a 66-64 victory in Huntington, West Virginia.
Ticket prices for Thursday’s contest are as follows: Adults $8, children (3-17) $5, children 2 and under) Free, Groups (10+) $5, NKU Students Free.
Tickets will be available for purchase starting at noon on Tuesday at The Bank of Kentucky Center box office or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Devlin slugs her way to NKU’s first Player of the Week honor
Northern Kentucky University catcher Dani Devlin was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Co-Player of the Week for softball. It marks the first softball Player of the Week award for NKU since joining the league in 2013.
The Chicago, Illinois, native batted .563 (9-for-16) with five extra base hits, including three doubles and two home runs, eight runs scored and eight more driven in. She added four walks to claim a .619 on-base percentage and slugged 1.125 over a five-game stretch. With Devlin’s help, the Norse posted three wins on the week and improved to 3-12 on the year.
“This is a huge honor for our program,” said head coach Kathy Stewart of the sophomore’s award. “Dani was red hot this weekend. She stepped up and got big hits for us when we needed them, and we’re very happy for her. This is certainly a step in the right direction for our program and we look for more strong performances out of Dani this season.”
Devlin opened the week on Wednesday by going 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, two walks and three runs scored in a 10-4 win at Tennessee State. She closed out the doubleheader with a 2-for-3 effort while scoring a run in an 8-4 setback to the Tigers.
On Saturday, Devlin picked up a solo home run and drew a walk in an 8-2 loss to open a twin bill at Alabama State. She came back in the nightcap to go 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored as the Norse took a 10-9 win in extra innings.
In Sunday’s series finale, Devlin went 2-for-4 with a double, a runs scored and an RBI in an 8-6 NKU victory. Over the week, Devlin raised her batting average more than 160 points and now leads the team and ranks 11th in the A-Sun, batting .361 on the season.
Devlin and the Norse return to the field on Tuesday, looking to make it three in a row – or more – when they open the home half of the 2015 schedule with a doubleheader against Butler. First pitch from the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field is set for 2 p.m., with live stats and video available at NKUNorse.com.
From NKU Athletics