Women's Golf | April 17

DeKALB, Ill.-- Northern Illinois University Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier announced a multi-year contract extension for Huskie Women's Golf head coach Kim Kester.
 
Kester signed an extension that will keep her at the helm of the NIU women's golf program through June of 2027.
 
"We're excited about Coach Kester's commitment to continue as head coach of the NIU women's golf program." said Frazier "She has built a program that consistently competes for championships and has done so with integrity and hard work.  We are fortunate to have Kim continue to lead and teach the student-athletes in our program."
 
Kester has led the Huskie women's golf program since the 2012-13 season. Under Kester's tenure, the NIU record book has been completely rewritten, from the team scoring average to lowest 18, 36 and 54-hole team scores to individual scoring averages and All-MAC selections. The 2021-22 season ended with Huskie sophomore Jasmine Ly becoming the first NIU player to compete in a NCAA Regional Tournament after completing a wire-to-wire run to the MAC medalist trophy, the first in school history.
 
Kester was the MAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2021 and earned the honor individually in 2022 after the Huskies' fifth consecutive top-three finish. NIU's top 10 career and single-season scoring averages are all owned by Kester-coached players, with eight Huskies earning All-MAC honors under her leadership.

During the 2023-24 season, the Huskies have seen action in eight tournaments with six top-five finishes. The Huskies were the runners-up at the Pinetree Collegiate tournament (March 25-26) and saw senior Emily Romancew win the NAU Red Rocks Invitational (March 16-17). Individually, the Huskies have placed in the top-10 12 times, led by five consecutive top-10 finishes from Ly. This season, the Huskies have garnered four MAC Golfer of the Week honors.
 
"I am very honored and blessed for the support from Sean Frazier and Ryan Sedevie to believe in me to continue to lead the NIU Women's Golf program," Kester said. "With the support of Rich Harvest Farms, Kishwaukee Country Club, the staff at NIU, the amazing donors this is a place that our student athletes can succeed.  It is such a joy to work with such special student athletes that are in or have come through our program. We are very excited for the future of NIU Golf!"
 
The Huskies women's golf team will conclude action this season at the 2024 Mid-American Conference championships, April 21-23 at the Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City, Ohio.

--NIU--