NSU head women's basketball coach Paula Krueger fills out her staff with two additions

Northern State University women's basketball head coach Paula Krueger has announced the additions of Katie Bourk and Josh Lees as assistant coaches for the 2023-24 season.

Bourk spent the past 12 seasons on staff at Augustana University. Lees joins the Northern State program after five seasons as the head coach at Oakland Community College.

“We are excited to add Josh and Katie to our staff for this coming season,” said Krueger. “They bring a great deal of experience, knowledge, and energy to our program. We can’t wait to get started!!”

Katie Bourk

Bourk spent two seasons as a graduate assistant and ten seasons as a full-time assistant with the Vikings. Augustana posted a record of 254-100 with Bourk on staff, making four NCAA Tournament appearances, including one Central Region Championship and Final Four appearance. Bourk coached four WBCA All-Americans, two NSIC Players of the Year, and five NSIC Defensive Players of the Year in her tenure. In 2018, Bourk was honored by the WBCA with the 30 Under 30 Coaching Award.

“I’m so excited to be joining the Northern State women’s basketball program,” explained Bourk. “Being able to stay close to home, along with my familiarity with the NSIC and Northern make this a wonderful opportunity for me. I can’t wait to be in a basketball town like Aberdeen that supports the student-athletes like they do.”

Bourk opened her coaching career at Colman-Egan High School, assisting with the junior varsity and varsity programs. In addition to her assistant duties at Augustana, Bourk served as the team’s recruiting coordinator. She is a 2011 graduate of Dakota State University, earning a bachelor’s in Physical Education and 2013 graduate of Augustana University, earning a master’s in Sports Administration and Leadership.

“Special thanks to Coach Paula Krueger for allowing me to join a program that means so much to her,” Bourk added. “I’m looking forward to learning from her, her staff, and working with our student-athletes to continue to elevate the storied basketball tradition that is Northern State women’s basketball. Go Wolves!”

Josh Lees

At OCC, Lees was a 2-time MCCAA Coach of the Year and led his team to a top-20 ranking in the NJCAA. Oakland made their first national tournament appearance in school history under his direction and led the league defensively in back-to-back seasons.

“I am extremely thankful and excited to join a community as great as Northern State University,” noted Lees. “As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew that NSU was exactly where I needed to be. I would like to thank Coach Krueger for welcoming me to join her staff and this amazing university. I am very eager to get to work! Go Wolves!”

Lees opened his coaching career at Troy and Avondale High Schools in Michigan, serving in both assistant and head roles. Lees played collegiately at NCAA Division III Trine University. He received his associate’s degree from Oakland Community College in 2018 and bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Management from Rochester University in 2021.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Bourke, Lees join Northern State women's basketball team as assistants