Nampa, Idaho — The most successful team leader in Northwest Nazarene University's history as an NCAA institution is taking on a new role as the leader of Crusader Athletics.

Kelli Lindley, who guided the Crusader women's basketball team to five NCAA Division II National Tournament berths (2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2013) and compiled a 202-131 record during 12 seasons as head women's basketball coach, was introduced by NNU President David Alexander as the new director of Athletics at a March 16 press conference at the Johnson Sports Center on the NNU campus.

"We are delighted to welcome Kelli Lindley into this new role as the NNU director of Athletics," Alexander said. "Kelli brings a vast array of experience to this position having been a successful Division I player, an assistant coach at the Division I level, then she served with distinction as NNU's most successful Division II head coach, followed by serving for two years as NCAA compliance officer.

"Kelli Lindley is a woman of strong Christian character, competitive spirit, leadership savvy; now she becomes the coach of our coaches," Alexander added. "I am extremely pleased to welcome her to this important role on our campus."

Lindley stepped down from her position as head women's basketball coach following the 2012-2013 season to become the Crusaders' associate athletic director and NCAA compliance officer. She began that role in the summer of 2013.

This past December, following the resignation of Bill Rapp as director of Athletics, Lindley took on the task of serving NNU as acting director of Athletics during the search to fill Rapp's vacant position.

"It is a tremendous privilege to accept the position of director of Athletics at Northwest Nazarene University and have an opportunity to serve in this role," Lindley said. "Having worked in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference as both a coach and associate athletic director, as well as serving on various NCAA committees, I have been afforded an amazing opportunity to see where NNU Athletics has excelled and where we need to continue to grow.

"It is incredibly exciting to be a part of an NNU community which offers a uniquely exceptional student-athlete experience with the balance of outstanding academics, high-level athletics, and distinctive campus and community life opportunities. I look forward to the challenge of continuing the push toward an unmatched level of success for our student-athletes at the NCAA Division II level.

"I am grateful to President Dr. David Alexander for this opportunity, as well as all those who have encouraged me along the way."

Lindley came to NNU in the summer of 2000 after serving as assistant women's basketball coach at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where she also received a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership degree.

Prior to her time at Gonzaga, the Prineville, Oregon, native played four years of basketball at NCAA Division I Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where she twice was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic Team (1995, 1996) and was team co-captain for the 1995-96 season. Lindley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree from WSU.

Lindley and her husband, Jeremy, live in Nampa and have two sons.
--Northwest Nazarene University