Lois Heeren begins her 17th year as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head women's basketball coach in 2015-16.
Before taking over as interim head coach in 1999-2000, Heeren served as an assistant at UW-L during the 1998-99 season. “UW-L has a strong tradition of academic and athletic excellence and we strive for excellence with the women’s basketball program.” says Heeren.
She led the Eagles to an at-large bid to the 2011 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Tournament. It marked UW-L's first appearance in the national championships since the 1987-88 season.
The Eagles finished 20-8 in 2010-11, their most victories since 1987-88 (22-7). The team also tied a school record for most Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) wins with a 12-4 campaign in 2010-11. UW-L tied for second in the league, its best finish since 1987-88 (second).
She recorded her 200th career victory in UW-L's 73-69 win at UW-Oshkosh January 19, 2011. Heeren picked up her 200th victory at UW-L in the Eagles' 52-36 win over UW-Stout February 4, 2015.
UW-L has had six overall winning campaigns in the last 10seasons.
The winningest coach in UW-L women's basketball history (202 wins), Heeren was named the 2005-06 WIAC Co-Coach of the Year after leading UW-L to a 19-8 overall and 9-7 conference mark. The team hosted a 2006 WIAC Tournament Quarterfinal for the first time in school history and appeared in the WIAC semifinals for the first time.
UW-L finished 18-8 overall and 10-6 in the conference in 2009-10.
She ranks 10th in WIAC history in victories.
A native of Greene, Iowa, Heeren served two seasons as an assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy before returning to the Midwest to become an assistant at UW-L. She has had two prior collegiate head coaching stints. She coached at NCAA III St. Mary's University (Minn.) for three seasons (1993-96) and at NCAA II Truman State University, formerly Northeast Missouri State, for three years (1989-92).
In her first season at St. Mary’s, she led the Cardinals to their best overall and conference record in five years. In Heeren's second year at Truman State, the Lady Dogs posted their first winning season in 10 years, finished fourth in the conference and made their first postseason tournament appearance in four years.
Other collegiate coaching experience includes a year as an assistant at NCAA I Southwest Texas State University in 1991-92 and as an assistant at UW-River Falls from 1987-89. In addition, she has instructed at several camps and clinics around the country. Heeren has coached one national Academic All-America and has had numerous first team all-conference selections.
Heeren is a 1984 graduate of Truman State University. She received a master's degree in the Administration of Fitness/Wellness Programs from the University of Iowa in 1986. She also teaches in UW-L's Exercise and Sport Science Program.
