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| Marian athletics photo |
After two seasons at the helm of the Marian women's basketball program, Lyndsey Seewald has announced her resignation as the head coach.
"I can't thank Coach Seewald enough for the impact she has had not only with the women's basketball team but with the Marian and Fond du Lac communities as well," commented director of athletics Jason Bartelt. "I wish her all the best as she enters the next chapter of her life in serving the people of Madison."
In her first season at the helm, Seewald's Sabres ranked atop the conference, 43rd in the nation, for fewest fouls and were third in the conference, 57th in the nation, for fewest turnovers.
The Sabres went 4-21.
A 0.92 turnover margin was good for fourth in the NACC and 15.8 turnovers per game also put the Sabres fourth in the conference and in the top-100 of the country. Marian was just as successful off the court as the team was named the Community Service All-Stars by the United Way FDL, an honor accomplished for their dedication to improving the Fond du Lac community through volunteerism.
A disciplined style of basketball continued into her second year as the Sabres finished fourth in the NACC for fewest fouls. The Sabres played competitively in 2017-18 with three wins and seven of their losses coming by single-digits. Seewald continued to lead her program off the court as well with the women's basketball program winning their second consecutive Sammy's award for community service.
The team went 3-22 this past season.
"I am blessed to have been a part of the women's basketball program at Marian for the past two seasons," commented Seewald. "Marian has given me the opportunity to meet such wonderful student-athletes and for that, I am forever grateful. I am excited to see the continuation of this program to excel to new heights."
Seewald came to Marian after serving as the head women's basketball coach at UW-Waukesha, a two-year school, and helped lead the Cougars to a runner-up finish at the state championship. Seewald leaves the Sabre women's basketball program to accept a position with the Madison police department.
In a corresponding decision, assistant coach Christine Keller has been named the head coach for the women's basketball program moving forward.
"I am excited for Coach Keller as the next women's basketball coach at Marian University," commented Bartelt. "(She) and coach Seewald have a built a strong culture within the team and I look forward to Coach Keller continuing to move the program forward."
Keller has spent the past two seasons as an assistant under Seewald after spending time as a head coach at Greendale High School and an assistant at Pius XI High School, her alma mater. During her time at her alma mater, she helped lead the 2010 team to a 26-3 record and a state championship in her first season on staff. At Pius XI she tallied a total record of 92-15. She also had a one-year stint at Lake Forest as an assistant coach.
"I want to say thank you to Jason Bartelt and the administration for giving me the opportunity to continue building on the foundation we have created here the past two years," Keller said. "This program has a bright future and I am beyond excited to be a part of it."
Keller (formally Gutierrez) played collegiately for one season at UW-Milwaukee, helping lead the Panthers to a 20-8 record and second-place finish in the Horizon League. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the institution in 2009. While playing at Pius XI, Keller was named an All-American her junior and senior year, Associated Press and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel first team All-State, Classic Eight Conference Co-Player of the Year, and the area's player of the year. She was also an all-state soccer player.