Marquette University Athletics
Lewis, Nelp and Smith Join Women's Basketball Staff
9/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 2, 2008
MILWAUKEE - Marquette women's basketball head coach Terri Mitchell has announced the additions of three new members of the Golden Eagles' staff. Angie Lewis has been named director of operations, Angie Nelp has been named assistant director of operations and Drew Smith has accepted a graduate assistantship.
"I am extremely excited about this year's staff and the three new additions we have made to our program," said head coach Terri Mitchell. "This is the most experienced staff we have ever had and with new faces come fresh ideas. Those ideas will make the coaching staff better and in turn will ultimately make the players better."
Lewis comes to Marquette from Southeast Missouri State where she served as an assistant coach for the 2007-08 season. Prior to her appointment at Southeast Missouri State, Lewis spent one season as an assistant at Webster University, an NCAA Division III school in St. Louis.
Lewis was a four-year letterwinner at Saint Louis University where she was named the school's Female Athlete of the Year in 2004 and twice captured Third Team All-Conference USA accolades. She ranks sixth in school history in points (1,300) and rebounds (659).
Lewis earned the Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship, which is presented annually to a senior female collegiate basketball player who intends to pursue graduate work and a career in sports communication. In addition Lewis participated in the WBCA's (Nike) "So You Want to Be A Coach" program, which includes workshops that provide an educational and professional foundation for minority female basketball players entering the coaching profession.
After completing her collegiate career at Saint Louis, Lewis played for TV Bensburg of the Women's Bundesliga League in Bensburg, Germany during the 2004-05 season.
Lewis earned a bachelor's degree in communication in 2004 from Saint Louis University and later returned to earn a master's degree in communication in December 2006.
"I had the pleasure of coaching against her and watching her develop into a wonderful player. She brings not just the tenacity of a player, but also a coaching background. She brings a passion and talents that will touch every aspect of our program, and to make it better. We knew when we met her that she belonged at Marquette, and look forward to a great future with her as a member on our staff," said Mitchell.
Nelp brings a wealth of experience at every level as a former professional basketball player and All-American. She joins the Marquette staff following one season as a graduate assistant on the Arkansas women's basketball staff under Ladybacks' head coach Tom Collen.
 Angie Nelp  | |
Her professional career included time both in the United States and in Europe. Her collegiate career blended academic achievements with athletic honors, culminating with Kodak All-American Honorable Mention honors her senior season at Colorado State.
Closing her career as a 1,000-point scorer for the Rams, the then Angie Gorton recorded 1,397 points, 629 rebounds, 356 assists and 261 steals. Along with Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors, Nelp was a first-team all-MWC selection her senior season. A rock-solid player on the court, she was also a four-time academic all-conference selection.
Following graduation, Nelp spent two seasons with the NWBL Colorado Chill and one year with 08 Stockholm in Sweden. She was a part of championship teams for both franchises as the Chill took the 2005 NWBL title and 08 Stockholm the 2003 Swedish national crown.
After returning from Europe, she served as the head girls' basketball coach at Yorktown High in Yorktown, Ill., for two seasons. While coaching at Yorktown, she was a science teacher at nearby Northwestern Middle School.
Nelp is a 2002 graduate of Colorado State with her bachelor's degree in health and exercise science, she earned teaching certification from Indiana Wesleyan in April 2006.
"Both Angie Nelp and Angie Lewis bring accomplished professional playing careers to our program, which is important for our players to look up to. Not only can they look up to Michelle, Cara and Jennie, but now both Angies. They are two more people that can speak about winning and it is important for them to understand what it is to be a winner," said Mitchell.
Smith has he spent the last five seasons as a student manager where he managed team equipment, assisted with film work, team travel and on court instruction.
 Drew Smith | |
"Drew is no stranger to our program after spending five years as our head manager. Now as our graduate assistant video coordinator, he keeps consistency in our program and knows what we are looking for. It makes me extremely comfortable having him in this role because he knows how much we rely on film. He has an incredible work ethic and we know he will put in the time and energy that is needed."
As a graduate assistant, Smith's primary duties will be the initial breakdown of game video, opponent video scouting and coordinating film exchange. Meanwhile, Smith will pursue his master's degree in business administration.
