Aug. 9, 2006

Referring to her six years at Northeastern Junior College as being "wonderful", Wendy Hirschfeld tendered her resignation as head women's basketball coach late last week. While the timing of her departure this close to a new school year presents challenges, NJC has already started a national search for her replacement.

Hirschfeld, who has a degree in art education, has accepted a teaching position in Omaha, NE.

"This happened very last minute and very quick but I feel like it is the right move for me," she told her colleagues at NJC. "This is a great school and community and I have really enjoyed working with all of you. I will miss you all and hopefully be back to visit and to watch a few games." Hirschfeld, originally from Benedict, NE has spent her summers in that area where she is also involved in her family's farming operation. The move to Omaha will put her in closer proximity to home.

Had she stayed at NJC, Hirschfeld would have entered her seventh year of coaching at the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division I level, and her fifth year as head coach for the Plainswomen. She was assistant coach for the Plainswomen for two years under the former head coach Mike Brandt. Hirschfeld helped Brandt lead the Plainswomen to a 29-8 school record in 2002, ending with a ninth place finish in the NJCAA Tournament.

During the 2004-05 season, Hirschfeld led the Plainswomen to her first 20 win season. The Plainswomen once again captured the South Sub-Region IX Championship. Under Hirschfeld's two years as assistant coach she had a winning record of 52-18, and had a 70-59 record in her four years as head coach. As the leader of a program that placed great emphasis on academics as well as athletics, Hirschfeld always stressed the importance of developing a total person on and off the court as being a top priority.

"I always stressed that you need to represent yourself, women's basketball, and NJC in a positive manner," commented Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld ended her NJC era with 18-15 season. She had six sophomores this last year that are all moving on to play at the next level and she was successful in recruiting in a full slate of new talent for the 2006-2007 season.

"All of the players have indicated that they still plan to be on our campus and playing for NJC despite a coaching change," said Jerrod Samber, athletic director at NJC. "It is our hope to have a new head coach in place by September 1." NJC recently hired an assistant women's basketball coach when Dave Huss came on board in July. He will play a dual role at the college as he is also an assistant manager in the Bank of Colorado Event Center.

Before Northeastern Junior College, Hirschfeld taught seventh through twelfth grade art at Dodge High School and Howells High School for three years. She also coached volleyball, basketball and track at Dodge High School in Dodge, Nebraska. Prior to this, Hirschfeld served as an assistant coach for Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska for the 1996-1997 season.

A 1993 graduate from Eastern Wyoming College with an associate of applied science degree, Hirschfeld was a member of the basketball team there for one year. After graduating from EWC, she went on to Midland Lutheran College to continue playing basketball for three years and received a bachelor's degree in K-12 art education with a minor in commercial art. Hirschfeld recently finished her master's in curriculum and instruction through Doane College.

"Wendy invested well in her own education and we have always known that full-time teaching was something she planned to eventually pursue. We wish her well as she moves in a new direction," Samber said.