Women's Basketball Names Elyse Schlump as Program's Second Head Coach

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars women’s basketball team have a new head coach, as Elyse Schlump has been named the second coach in program history.

Schlump joins Cleary after three seasons in charge of the Concordia University Cardinals, in which she had a 51-37 record, 42-20 in the WHAC.  Concordia made it to at least the WHAC Quarterfinals in each of Schlump’s three seasons, and the team made it to the WHAC Semifinals in the 2023-24 season.

"We are thrilled to welcome Elyse as the new head coach of our women’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Max Ballinger. “Her passion for developing student-athletes, combined with her years of experience and proven success, make her an incredible fit for Cleary. Elyse’s energy, leadership, and dedication to her players are exactly what we were looking for, and we are beyond excited to have her and her family join us.”

The success for Concordia wasn’t just wins and losses for Schlump at CUAA.  She coached five student-athletes that were named First-Team All-WHAC, two student-athletes that were named Second-Team All-WHAC, one WHAC Defensive Player of the Year, and three student-athletes that were named to the WHAC All-Freshman Team. 

“I would like to thank Athletic Director Max Ballinger, as well as the search committee, for naming me the next head coach of Cleary women’s basketball," said Schlump.  "I’m incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead a talented group of young women both on and off the court. I look forward to being a part of the Cleary community, and working together to continue to elevate the women’s basketball program.”

Prior to her time at Concordia, Schlump was the Director of Basketball Operations at NCAA Division 1 Marist University from 2018-2022.  At Marist, Schlump helped the Red Foxes win both the regular season and MAAC Tournament title to advance to the NCAA Tournament.  In the NCAA Tournament, the 15-seed Red Foxes fell to the 2-seed Louisville Cardinals in the first round.  The Red Foxes would also have their championship season of 2019-20 end prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Marist finished the regular season as regular season co-champions with Rider College.

Schlump’s first coaching position out of college was at NCAA D3 Skidmore College, where she was the associate head coach from 2013-2018.  At Skidmore, Schlump helped the Thoroughbreds win two Liberty League regular season and tournament championships.  She was part of a coaching staff of the year twice, and coached six First-Team All-Liberty players, including three Liberty League Players of the Year.  The Thoroughbreds had three student-athletes named to the All-Rookie team, including one Rookie of the Year.  She coached three WBCA All-Americans while at Skidmore.

*Picture courtesy of www.concordiacardinals.com & Concordia Sports Information Department*