8/1/2017 2:38:00 PM
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Women's Basketball
Lehigh Announces Braker as New Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head women's basketball coach
Sue Troyan announced on Tuesday the addition of
Ariel Braker as the program's new assistant coach. A four-year member of the women's basketball team at Notre Dame, Braker has earned collegiate coaching experience over the last three years, most recently as an assistant coach at Western Texas College. She will officially begin her coaching duties on August 16.
"We're excited to have Ariel join our staff and feel as though she will be a strong addition to our Lehigh program and department," Troyan said. "Ariel played under Coach McGraw at Notre Dame, and held a critical role on two Final Four teams as a junior and senior in their program. Her playing experiences at Notre Dame, coupled with her ability to connect with people and her coaching experiences the last three years have prepared her well for this opportunity at Lehigh."
As a four-year member of the Fighting Irish women's basketball team under former Lehigh head coach and Naismith Hall of Fame selection, Muffet McGraw, Braker was a member of the winningest class in program history, finishing with a record of 138-15 with four Final Four berths and three appearances in the national championship game. She helped Notre Dame to three straight conference championships, including an undefeated run through the ACC in 2013-14. A two-year starter and tri-captain, Braker averaged 5.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior in 2012-13, and 4.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game as a senior. She made 130 appearances and 70 starts during her career, with the team going 67-3 in those games.
After graduating from Notre Dame in 2014 with a bachelor's in industrial design, Braker served as a graduate assistant coach at Division II Wayne State in Michigan while pursuing her masters in sports management. At Wayne State, she assisted with player development, film editing, creating practice and game plans, as well as compliance and NCAA governance.
In September 2016, she joined Western Texas as an assistant coach, where she was responsible for recruiting and scouting for the team, managed the strength and conditioning program, implemented plays for the team and assisted head coach Darryl Davis with day-to-day duties.
Braker has also enjoyed coaching experience at the AAU level for BBC Basketball Club in Warren, Mich., as well as her alma mater, Grosse Pointe North High School. In 2015, she also did media and public relations work for the Chicago Sky of the WNBA.
A native of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, Braker was a four-time all-state selection in basketball. She was also a four-time all-conference selection in volleyball and earned all-state honors in track and field as a high jumper.
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