New Era Begins When North Dakota State Women's Basketball Hosts UNI On Nov. 14

A new era dawns in women’s basketball at North Dakota State (12-6 Summit, 17-11 in 2008), when the Bison open the 2008-09 seaon at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, with the University of Northern Iowa (8-10 Missouri Valley, 13-18).

The Bison look to "Pack the House" as Carolyn DeHoff (0-0, 1st year) begins her first season as head coach at North Dakota State.

DeHoff replaces Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Amy Ruley, who moved from the sidelines into an assistant AD role in the athletic department.

Ruley led NDSU to five national championships and a 671-198 record in 29 seasons

The Bison tied for second place in The Summit League standings last year.

The Bison return six letterwinners and one starter from 2008.

For more notes from NDSU please click here.

New Look North Dakota State Women's Basketball Set to Start 2008-09 Season

After nearly 30 years, North Dakota State University women's basketball will take on a new look in 2008-09.

Carolyn DeHoff begins her first season as the Bison women's basketball head coach after successful stints at Weber State, Wyoming and most recently Utah.

North Dakota State has a pair of exhibition games, Monday, Nov. 3 against the University of Mary, and Thursday, Nov. 6, against Minnesota-Crookston. Both games begin at 7 p.m. in the Bison Sports Arena.

DeHoff, who replaces Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach Amy Ruley, hasn't stopped moving since her feet touched down in Fargo last April.

North Dakota State returns six players including one starter from last season's 17-11 team that tied for second in The Summit League with a 12-6 record. The Bison regain the services of one player, and added a prep standout and a pair of transfers to the mix.

There was a new system to be learned, but DeHoff sensed an intrepid spirit has taken Bison women’s basketball by storm.

"With an eagerness to learn, the players have embraced the opportunity to contend in post season play," said DeHoff, who is entering first season as a head coach at the collegiate level.

"Each member of this year’s squad exemplifies a tenacious work ethic, allowing our staff to teach in an environment where each student-athlete can reach their full potential. As a team we are looking to improve each and every day."

North Dakota State graduated five seniors from last year's team including a trio of double-figure scorers. Lisa Bue (16.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg) was The Summit League Player of the Year and is playing professionally overseas with former Bison post player Brandee Gibbs.

To read more please click here.

North Dakota State University Names Kelly Roysland Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach

THE FOLLOWING IS DIRECTLY FROM THE NDSU PRESS RELEASE

FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University head coach Carolyn DeHoff today announced the addition of Kelly Roysland as assistant women’s basketball coach. Roysland replaces Molly Marrin, who resigned to accept a similar position at the University of San Francisco.

“Kelly’s experience as a Big Ten player and her knowledge of the game that goes well beyond her playing experience made the decision to hire her easy. Her family’s success in coaching adds greatly to Kelly’s skill set. Her connection with Minnesota and her name recognition will give NDSU instant credibility,” said DeHoff.

“Kelly will bring a tremendous amount of vibrancy to our coaching staff and especially our players. I can’t wait to have my staff together and continue to move our program forward.”

A native of Fosston, Minn., Roysland was a four-year letterwinner in basketball at the University of Minnesota and played one year of volleyball for the Gophers as a fifth-year senior in 2007.



Roysland finished her basketball career 12th on Minnesota’s all-time scoring list with 1,074 points. She averaged 8.3 points per game over 130 contests, including nine NCAA playoff games. She played in a reserve role on Minnesota’s 2004 Final Four team and 2005 Sweet Sixteen team.

Roysland was the Gophers’ basketball captain as a senior in 2006-07 and earned All-Big Ten third team recognition by league media. She was Minnesota’s female winner of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2007 and 2008.

Her father, Mike Roysland, is the head women’s basketball coach at Division II member Minnesota-Crookston.

North Dakota State returns six players from last season’s 17-11 team that tied for second in The Summit League with a 12-6 record.

The Kelly Roysland File:



Age: 23
Born: Sept. 19, 1984
Hometown: Fosston, Minn.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in sport management, Minnesota, 2007;
Pursuing master’s in applied kinesiology, Minnesota (completion expected July 2008).

Carolyn DeHoff named Bison women's head basketball coach

Audio Link for the press conference

Video Link for the press conference

www.gobison.com website story link

Utah Associate Head Coach to Interview For NDSU Head Women's Basketball Position

The following is a complete copy of the press release I recieved today. The web site for NDSU is www.gobison.com:

FARGO, N.D.--University of Utah associate head coach Carolyn DeHoff will be on campus to interview for the North Dakota State University head women’s basketball position late Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday, April 10. She has a full schedule of meetings with university and athletic department officials. NDSU director of women’s athletics Lynn Dorn made the announcement today.

DeHoff completed her first season as associate head coach in 2007-08 and fifth overall on Elaine Elliott’s Utah staff. The Utes finished 27-5 overall and won the Mountain West Conference regular season championship with a 16-0 record. Utah lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament this season.

Her duties at Utah included coordinating recruiting efforts, point guard development, organization and planning of the schedule, coordination of academic affairs and directing summer camps.

During her stay in Utah, the Utes won 123 games, three regular season conference championships and one MWC tournament championship. Utah made three trips to the NCAA tournament including an Elite Eight berth in 2006 and a WNIT appearance in 2007. The Utes also had a pair of WNBA first round draft picks.

Her 17-year coaching resume includes a five-year stop at Weber State. The Wildcats went from a sub-.500 program to a back-to-back NCAA tournament participant. Weber State won consecutive Big Sky titles and posted back-to-back 20 win seasons.
Prior to Weber State, DeHoff was the top assistant at Wyoming for seven seasons and also was an assistant coach at Coronado High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.

A standout high school player at Cheyenne (Wyo.) East, DeHoff was a Street & Smith’s All-America her senior year. She played at Arizona State University from 1987-90, she was a captain.

A native of Cheyenne, DeHoff graduated from Arizona State in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and physical education.

Amy Ruley Steps Down at NDSU

At a 1pm press conference today Amy Ruley has stepped down as head coach of the women's basketball program at North Dakota State University after 29 years and 670 wins (671 with a win in the season's final game tonight vs. Centenary) at that post. The press conference lasted about 20 minutes.

Read more by clicking here.

PDF link to NDSU Write up

Coach Ruley's NDSU Web Site Profile

NDSU Women's Basketball Home Page

Story from WDAY TV/Radio

Story from the IN-FORUM News