TOWSON, Maryland -- Niki Geckeler, who led Howard University to back-to-back 20-plus-win seasons and three post-season tournament appearances, has been named as the new head women's basketball coach at Towson University, it was announced by Director of Athletics Mike Waddell.
"When we started this search, we went in search of a coach that would possess the characteristics needed to build the Towson women's basketball program into a perennial force in the CAA," said Waddell. "Niki is just that person ... a leader and a winner. She has shown leadership throughout her career as both a player and now as a coach. With her energy and passion for the game, she has recruited great students and athletes and transformed them into championship programs. We are very fortunate to welcome her to Towson."
Prior to Geckeler's first season with the Bison in 2008-09, Howard won just four games. In 2011-12, Geckeler compiled a 24-9 mark, tying the program's all-time record for wins in a season. She amassed 85 career wins at Howard, including 44 in the last two seasons alone. Under her guidance, the Bison earned two straight post-season invitations and the first ever preseason WNIT berth, going to the postseason WNIT twice (2011, 2012) and the 2013 Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI). These were the program's first three post-season bids in program history.
She coached the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Year and the 2011 MEAC Player of the Year, Saadia Doyle as well as three first-team all-league honorees. In the last two seasons, two of her players ranked in the top 15 and three ranked in the top 35 in the nation statistically, points per game, assist/turnover ratio and assists per game. Her teams were in the top 15 in the country in scoring defense in 2012 (14th - 53.0 ppg) and 2013 (sixth - 50.3 ppg).
Geckeler is committed to her student-athletes' academic success as well. At Howard, she had a 100 percent graduation rate and eight student-athletes earned spots on the MEAC All-Academic team.
"I would like to thank Mike Waddell and the Towson family for naming me the new head women's basketball coach here at Towson University," said Geckeler. "What an honor it is to lead a group of great young women to new heights. Mr. Waddell's vision, passion and enthusiasm for Tiger athletics is one that I admire."
Geckeler added, "I look forward to reigniting the excitement which will become synonymous with lady Tiger basketball. Through hard work, commitment and discipline we will restore the roar."
Prior to her tenure at Howard, Geckeler served an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Georgetown (1996-2002; 2004-08) and as an assistant and associate head coach at Fordham (1995-96; 2002-04) where she coached a combined 11 conference all-academic team selections and one Rhodes Scholar finalist.
While at Georgetown, she signed the No. 6 recruiting class in the country in 2007-08 - a group that led the Hoyas to three NCAA Tournament berths. She also signed Katrina Wheeler, the first McDonald's All-American women's basketball player to attend Georgetown. Her 1999-2000 recruiting class was also ranked in the top 30. At Fordham, Geckeler signed a top 50 recruiting class in 2003-04.
Geckeler, a 1993 graduate of Georgetown University with a bachelor's degree in psychology was a four-year starter at point guard for the Hoyas. She served as team captain and led Georgetown to the 1992-93 Big East Conference co-championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Geckeler finished her career as a Hoya ranked in the top 10 for 3-point field goals made, 3-point field-goal percentage, assists and games played.
Geckler is the married to Timothy Geckeler, a former football player at Rutgers, and they have three-year old daughter, MaKenzie.
COURTESY TOWSON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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