IRVINE, Calif.  – Concordia University Irvine alum and former women's basketball player Lauren Richter has returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach with the program.

Richter graduated from Concordia after earning her master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration (MCAA program). Originally from Enid, Oklahoma, she played multiple seasons for the Green and Gold and appeared in over 50 games from 2021-23. Before that she played for Southwestern College after graduating from Bartlesville High School.

"I'm passionate about helping student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the court," said Richter. "I love to help create an environment where players can grow as athletes, teammates, and individuals, and I want to help them become the best versions of themselves."

"What makes this especially meaningful is that Lauren is someone who grew up in this program, went out and built her own experiences, and is now coming back ready to pour into the next generation," said CUI head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan. "She has played overseas, coached in this conference, worked in personal training and built a business centered around mental training and mentorship of young female athletes. She is growing quickly in this profession, and even in her short time back with us, she has already made a tremendous impact on and off the floor. There is no better reflection of a program than having your former players come back and make an impact, and I am incredibly excited to have Lauren walking beside me as we continue to level up the young women in this program."

Lauren brings a diverse background to the table as a former player, coach, and professional basketball staff member. Following her collegiate career, Lauren played professionally in Honduras. She then transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach with the Jessup University women's basketball program. She also gained valuable experience working closely with the NBA G League's Stockton Kings as a team attendant.

"Knowing our roster and what this group needs, I was looking for an ambitious post coach who could take a young, athletic and raw group and help develop them into a force in this conference," added Collins-Kiernan. "Lauren was an incredibly skilled inside-out post player for us, and over the years she has continued to grow her own game while learning how to teach and develop others. She understands what it takes to play this position at a high level, but more importantly, she understands how to connect with young women and help them believe in what they can become."

"Lauren also brings something that is incredibly important to who we are building here — joy. She is quick to smile, sees the glass half full and brings positive energy into every room she enters. In our Culture of Joy, I can't think of a better quality to have in an assistant coach."
 
The CUI women's basketball program also added graduate assistant coach Dane Kiefer. Kiefer comes to Irvine from San Diego State University, where he served as a manager with the women's basketball program and helped establish the men's club basketball team at the university.

A native of Placentia, Calif. and El Dorado High School alum, Kiefer played two seasons of hoops at Santiago Canyon College before transferring to SDSU. His younger sister Halen is also a current women's volleyball player at Concordia.

"Dane has already shown how much genuine energy and excitement he brings to this profession," said Collins-Kiernan. "Coming off his experience with San Diego State women's basketball, he has jumped into this opportunity with a true growth mindset and a willingness to learn every part of the job. His primary focus for us will be player development, particularly with our guards, and I am really excited about the opportunity he has to push the dial with a returning core that I believe can be a powerful part of our team."

"Dane is curious, he asks questions and he genuinely wants to understand how to make players better. At the same time, he has embraced every part of being in a program — from film and practice management to game preparation, player development and all the little things that keep a program moving. There is something really valuable about someone who doesn't see any task as too small or too big, and that is Dane."

With the season fast approaching, both coaches have dived right in as the Green and Gold set the table for what should be an exciting campaign ahead.

"Both Lauren and Dane are growth-minded people who are hungry to learn, eager to serve and genuinely invested in helping young women become better basketball players and better people," added Collins-Kiernan.

The season opener is on a Monday this year, as the Golden Eagles will visit former PacWest Conference foe Fresno Pacific on Monday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.

Concordia's home opener for the women's basketball team will be later that week on Friday, Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. It will be part of a basketball triple header inside CU Arena, as Biola will face Cal State San Bernardino at 5:15 p.m. and then the CUI men's basketball team will play at 7:30 p.m. against Cal State San Marcos.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule