DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team has added assistant coach Alicia Abbott to the coaching staff, head coach Christina Sutcliffe announced Tuesday.
 
Abbott joins the Huskies from SIU Edwardsville, where she served as an assistant in 2014.
 
"We're excited to have Alicia as part of our program," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "She brings knowledge of the Chicago area. She has some great connections and great ties, but also her knowledge of the game in both the offensive and defensive areas is going to make her very valuable."
 
In her lone season at SIUE, Abbott helped the Cougars post a 30-23 record en route to an Ohio Valley Conference West Division title, an OVC Tournament title and an appearance in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. In addition, the team finished fourth in the conference in fielding percentage and third in stolen bases.
 
"I'm excited to get the opportunity to join Coach Sutcliffe and the Huskies, as they're a program that works hard," Abbott said. "They always strive to be their best both on and off the field."
 
Prior to Edwardsville, she served as the top assistant coach at Division II Newberry (S.C.) College. While there, she worked with the infielders and a hitting coach, in addition to being in charge of recruiting, scheduling and academics for the Wolves. Abbott got her start in coaching as a volunteer assistant at North Carolina State in 2012, where she assisted with infielders and outfielders, along with serving as the video coordinator.
 
In college, Abbott was the Horizon League's Newcomer of the Year in 2008 after starting all 57 games and hitting .307 with UIC. She transferred to NC State after her sophomore season and earned Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll recognition in each of her two seasons with the Wolfpack. In her career, she hit .283 with 20 doubles and eight home runs, including four round-trippers in her senior season.
 
The New Lenox, Illinois, native earned a bachelor's degree in communication from NC State in 2011.