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Mariah LaPointe-Dunham once volunteered on the Finlandia women's basketball coaching staff. Now she'll run it as the Lions' new head coach.
The University's Athletic Director Curtis Wittenberg announced the hiring on Aug. 31.
"Mariah is a great addition to our coaching staff," said Wittenberg in Finlandia's release "Her success in building the Level UP Express basketball program in a short period of time will carry over to our women's basketball program. This program, under Mariah's leadership, will bring in the top DIII talent out of the [Upper Peninsula] and northern Wisconsin."
LaPointe-Dunham's most recent experience was with the AAU Level UP Express Basketball program which she grew from two teams with 23 athletes to five teams with 45 athletes. Previously she was an assistant coach at Division II Lake Superior State for one season and her alma mater Northern Michigan for two seasons. She also coached basketball at Baraga (Mich.) High School.
LaPointe-Dunham was an Associated Press Player of the Year during her high school career at Watertown (Wis.) High School and the played three seasons at Division I Wisconsin. She finished her college career and earned her bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan.
She replaces John Motherwell who left Finlanida with a 13-36 mark in two seasons to take an assistant coaching position at Division I University of North Dakota.
"Coach Mo left the program better than he found it and I am certainly ready to bring it to another level," said LaPointe-Dunham in the release. "The young ladies here at Finlandia are amazing and accepted me instantly. I am ready to lead them, challenge them and show them what Finlandia University has to offer."
Finlandia opens its season at home against Calvin on Nov. 9.