Purdue University Northwest Director of Athletics Rick Costello has announced the promotion of Head Women's Basketball Coach Courtney Locke to Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives.
In addition to serving as Head Women's Basketball Coach, Locke will serve as Assistant AD for Strategic Initiatives. In her new role, Locke will supervise softball, lead initiatives for student-athlete development and wellness, serve as liaison with the Offices of Housing, Student Life, Dean of Students and Counseling, and assist with fundraising initiatives.
"Courtney Locke has had an amazing impact on the student-athletes at Purdue Northwest. Her tireless approach helped guide the athletic program through the pandemic, ensure a greater focus on mental wellness, and deliver diversity, equity, and inclusion programming for student-athletes. I sincerely appreciate Courtney's wonderful efforts to bring new revenue streams and partnerships to Purdue Northwest Athletics. On behalf of the Pride of PNW, a big thanks to Courtney for her leadership, creative ideas, and phenomenal work ethic in improving the student-athlete experience."
Shortly after joining the Pride, Locke was named Senior Woman Administrator. As Senior Woman Administrator, Locke chaired the Intercollegiate Athletics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, and participated on the PNW Safe Return to Work Committee, and the GLIAC Covid Task Force. Locke has made a huge imprint on the department organizing student-athlete wellness and educational programming including the Urban League training programs for PNW student-athletes and the successful launch of the "Pride Means Business" professional development event for female student-athletes.
"The last two years have been a tremendous opportunity for me to learn and grow in my role as an athletic administrator," Locke said. "I'm passionate about investing and serving our student-athletes as well as our athletic department. This new role gives me the ability to really focus on our student-athlete experience and help implement various initiatives for our athletic department. I'm thankful for Rick and his trust in me to help equip our student-athletes beyond their sport. His vision for PNW athletics is what makes this place special."
As head coach, Locke continues to advance the women's basketball program. Last season, the women's basketball team set new program records for most wins in a season and most home wins during the school's Division II era. Under Locke, the Pride made their first GLIAC Tournament appearance and received the first GLIAC all-conference awards in program history.
Prior to PNW, Locke gathered over a decade of experience as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I schools including Texas San Antonio, California Santa Barbara, Central Florida, Lipscomb and Hawaii.
Locke was a four-year letterwinner under legendary head coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers University from 2002-2006. She helped lead the Scarlet Knights to a Big East regular season championship, four NCAA Tournament appearances, an Elite Eight appearance in 2005 and Sweet Sixteen showing in 2006.
