This week, Northern Arizona University formally introduced the new head coach for the Women’s Basketball Program.

Loree Payne is the 12th head coach in program history, and she comes to NAU following a seven-year stint with the Puget Sound Loggers in Tacoma, Washington, where she achieved a 130-58 record.

Payne’s arrival in Flagstaff brings her back to Division I, a level at which she has experience both as a player and a coach. At Washington, she was a two-time All Pac-10 First Team player in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. She went on to coach at her alma mater as well as Northwest Nazarene and Portland.

Payne has earned Northwest Conference Coach of the Year twice and she’s been a finalist for the WBCA NCAA D-III National Coach of the Year.

NAU is hoping her coaching success can translate to a winning record for the Lumberjacks, who haven’t achieved such since the 2006-2007 season. Payne will be taking over for interim coach Robyne Bostick, and it will be up to her to bring NAU back into competition and contention in the Big Sky Conference.

Payne hails from Havre, Montana and is familiar with the Big Sky Conference, and she ran an uptempo offense with her previous team that averaged nearly 80 points per game.

To keep up with the latest in NAU Women’s Basketball and other athletics, please visit the official website.