Head Women's Basketball Coach Sherri Nowatzki.
Fredonia State's newest Head Women's Basketball Coach is 1989 graduate Sherri Nowatzki.
She will take over the head coaching roll following the departure of Sarah Cartmill, who had led the Devils for six years.
“I was born and raised in Western New York," said Nowatzki, “and am glad to be back home. This is where it all started.” Nowatzki is referring to beginning her basketball career at Wayland-Cohocton High School, before moving on to Fredonia State, playing for the Blue Devils from 1985-1989. “I'm a coach at heart and this is my passion.”
Her passion to get into coaching led her to her first stop at Dutchess Community College in 1989. She had stops at D'Youville and Keuka before being tabbed as the Assistant Coach at the United States Naval Academy, where she also obtained Lieutenant Junior Grade in her three seasons there.
After two seasons at St. Bonaventure, Nowatzki was tabbed to take over at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In her seven years at Army, she brought the program to new heights making the squad a top contender in the Patriot League. Her top season was 2000-2001 when the Black Knights finished 19-10.
Nowatzki then spent three seasons at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, where she oversaw a successful build from an NAIA program to a NCAA Division II institution.
Nowatzki's final stop before rejoining Fredonia State was as the Head Girls’ Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, and a physical education teacher at St. Joseph's Academy High School in St. Augustine for the past 15 years. Her top season saw the team finish 20-6 and win the SSAA Championship. She was also twice named Coach of the Year.
Nowatzki's first impressions of the team have been positive. “They made an impact on me when I interviewed. They wanted to be pushed harder... and we talked about championships,” said Nowatzki. “It's a close-knit group with a great work ethic and they are team oriented.”
Nowatzki's goal is to bring Fredonia State women's basketball its first SUNYAC title. "I want to build upon what Sarah and Rich have put in place, but building a championship team will take some time."
The ‘Rich’ that Nowatzki was referring to is Assistant Coach Rich Norton, himself a Fredonia State graduate, who has served in that capacity for the previous three coaches dating back to 2012. Coach Norton and Nowatzki's paths have crossed before, with Norton having worked summer camps for Nowatzki, and she credited their positive relationship with her wanting to come back to Fredonia State.
Nowatzki describes her style as old school and fundamental, and about building positive relationships and having accountability. “It's always about being a student-athlete,” she said.
“I am delighted to be able to do what I do. I've been all over the country and women's basketball has come so far. My goal is to leave this program better than when I got here.”
Nowatzki graduated from Fredonia State with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Media and a minor in Public Relations, and earned her master's degree from the United States Sports Academy, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
The team's first game is slated for Nov. 8 when they face off against Thiel College.
