Northern Star Online: Huskie briefs

Men's head basketball coach Ricardo Patton names new assistant coach

Will Smith was Ricardo Patton’s director of basketball operations for the last four years at NIU and Colorado, has been promoted to assistant coach for the NIU men’s basketball team. Smith replaces John Anderson, who accepted a job in the private sector.

Smith’s relationship with Patton goes back over 10 years, as Smith was Patton’s first recruit at Colorado in 1996.

“I know I’m excited to get the promotion,” Smith said. “Patton’s a great guy and has become a really great friend to me.”

Smith was responsible for practice plans, travel, scouting, and film exchange as NIU’s director of basketball operations. Smith’s new position will be his first ever coaching job.

Heather Oesterle steps up to women's basketball assistant coach position

NIU women’s basketball coach Carol Owens has announced the hiring of Heather Oesterle as the new assistant women’s basketball coach.

Oesterle spent the last five seasons at Miami (Ohio). With the RedHawks, Oesterle coordinated the team’s travel and worked with the team’s post players.

Oesterle began her coaching career in 2002-03 after graduating from Michigan, where she was a four-year letterwinner.

Adam Holdenrid takes home the golden glove

NIU pitcher Adam Holdenrid was one of nine NCAA Divison I baseball recipients of the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove award. The award is given out to one player from each of the nine positions for defensive excellence.

Holdenrid will receive a gold glove trophy similar to the ones given out to 18 major leaguers each season.

“It’s truly a pretty incredible award,” NIU head coach Ed Mathey said. “The intent of Rawlings was to bring that notoriety to the college game.”

Holdenrid was perfect in 27 fielding chances during his 13 starts in the 2008 season. Holdenrid also added 20 assists.

The winners were selected by a committee of eight head coaches prior to the 2008 College World Series in Omaha.