Heather Zurich

Last updated

Heather Zurich
Heather Zurich (2).jpg
Heather Zurich in 2010
Personal information
Born (1987-10-23) October 23, 1987 (age 35)
NationalityAmerican
Career information
High school Pascack Valley
(Hillsdale, New Jersey)
College Rutgers (2005–2009)
Playing career2009–2010
Coaching career2010–2017
Career history
As player:
2009–2010 Leidsche Rijn
As coach:
2010–2011 Wagner (assistant)
2011–2015 UC Santa Barbara (assistant)
2015–2017 LIU Brooklyn (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
  • Dutch League All-Star (2010)

Heather N. Zurich (born October 23, 1987) is an American former basketball player and coach. She played college basketball for Rutgers University [1] from 2005 to 2009 before playing professionally for one season in the Netherlands. Following her playing career, she became a college basketball coach.

Contents

Early life and education

Heather Zurich is the daughter of George and Lorrie Zurich of Montvale, N.J. and is the oldest of three children. She has a sister, Monica and a brother, Stephen. Zurich started playing basketball through Heather Miles-Pascack Valley Basketball and coach Jeff Jasper. Before deciding to focus solely on hoops as she got older, Zurich also played soccer and softball. [2]

In spring 2009, Zurich graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Sport Management and Exercise Science. Zurich completed two semesters towards her Master's of Business Administration during her time as a graduate assistant coach at Wagner College. [3]

High school career

A native of Montvale, New Jersey, [4] Zurich attended Pascack Valley High School located in northern Bergen County. As a senior, Zurich earned a spot on the Star-Ledger, The Record and Associated Press All-State First Teams. She finished her high school career with 1,798 career points [5] [6] and led Pascack Valley to a four-year record of 106–9 and four league titles. In her senior year in 2005, she led Pascack Valley to a 29–2 mark, winning the Group 2 state title and advancing to the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions.

Collegiate career

Heather Zurich helped lead the Scarlet Knights to 102 victories over four seasons. [7] Rutgers reached the NCAA Sweet 16 all four years of Zurich's tenure, making a National Championship appearance in 2007. In the 2009 playoffs, Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer cited Zurich as the "'X' factor" in defeating number 2-ranked Auburn and advancing to the regional semifinals. [8]

Professional career

Heather Zurich HZurichAA.jpg
Heather Zurich

In 2009 at the conclusion of her collegiate career, Heather Zurich signed a professional contract with Autocad Amazone Leidsche Rijn of the Dames Eredivisie in The Netherlands. [9] [10]

During the regular season, Zurich was second on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg), rebounding (9.9 rpg), steals (85) and blocked shots (18), propelling the AutoCAD Amazone Leidsche Rijn team to a 16–13 record and a fourth-place finish in the Dames Eredivisie with a 15–11 divisional record. [11]

In the post-season, Zurich helped lead the team to a 2–3 post-season record and a position in the semi-finals where the team lost to the ProBuild Lions. [12] She finished first in scoring (72) and second in rebounding (37) while recording 2 games with double-digit scoring and rebounding.

Coaching career

Heather Zurich HZurichWC5.jpg
Heather Zurich

Wagner

Zurich's first coaching assignment was as a graduate assistant coach at Wagner on Staten Island, New York. She worked primarily with assistant coach Brett Self on individual post player development and assisted on perimeter instruction. [7] Zurich assisted Coach Mikalauskas in leading the Wagner Seahawks in the 2010–11 season to a 12–17 overall record and 5–13 record in the Northeast Conference.

UC Santa Barbara

In May 2011, Zurich hired on as a full-time assistant coach at UC Santa Barbara in California. [13] [14]

Zurich assisted Coach Mitchell in leading the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the 2011–12 season to a 17–16 overall record (8–8 in Big West Conference play) with a 6th-place finish in conference play and a Big West Conference Tournament Championship. The Gauchos earned an automatic bid to the post-season NCAA Tournament where they lost in the first round to the eventual national champion, Baylor University.

In her second season at UC Santa Barbara, Zurich assisted Coach Mitchell in leading the Gauchos in the 2012–13 season to a 16–17 overall record (11–7 in Big West Conference play) with a fourth-place finish in conference play. The Gauchos earned an invitation to the WNIT post-season tournament where they lost in the first round to San Diego State University.

Zurich's third season assisting at UC Santa Barbara was a tough one for the Gauchos, falling to an 8–22 overall record (3–14 in Big West Conference play) with an 8th-place finish in conference play.

In her fourth and final season assisting at UC Santa Barbara, the Gauchos had a difficult and disappointing season with a 2–27 overall record (2–14 in Big West Conference play) with a 9th-place finish in conference play.

LIU Brooklyn

In June 2015, Zurich joined the staff of Stephanie Oliver as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for LIU Brooklyn in New York. [15]

Zurich assisted Coach Oliver in leading the Long Island University-Brooklyn Blackbirds in the 2015–16 season to a 9–21 overall record (7–11 in Northeast Conference play) with a 7th-place finish in conference play.

In her second season and last season assisting at Long Island University-Brooklyn, the Blackbirds had a 6–23 overall record (5–13 in Northeast Conference play) with a 9th-place finish in conference play. Following the season, Zurich left the ranks of coaching and pursued a professional career in the private sector.

Statistics

College statistics

Career statistics
SeasonGSMinMPGFGMFGAFG%3FGM3FGA3FG%FTMFTAFT%PtsPPGORDRRebRPGATOBlkStlPFFOEff
2005–06 [16] 201804.092634.6%31030.0%040.0%211.119100.55801500.4
2006–07 [17] 363389524.97618042.2%174637.0%91275.0%1784.93046762.144399175604.9
2007–08 [18] 332481824.86715642.9%134330.2%121866.7%1594.83158892.735432145004.9
2008–09 [19] 332888726.97317142.7%144531.1%273187.1%1875.72955842.5543811235816.6
Totals12286268022.022553342.2%4714432.6%486573.8%5454.5911682592.1138128225516914.6

Professional statistics

Career statistics
SeasonGMinMPGFGMFGAFG%3FGM3FGA3FG%FTMFTAFT%PtsPPGORDRRebRPGATOBlkStlPFFOEff
2009–10 [20] 33113534.414533043.9%112937.9%9011379.6%41312.5782353139.575781893110218.4
Totals33113534.414533043.9%112937.9%9011379.6%41312.5782353139.575781893110218.4

Legend

3FG%3-pt field goal percentage3FGA3-pt field goals attempted3FGM3-pt field goals madeAAssists
BlkBlocksDRDefensive reboundsEffEfficiency ratingFG%Field goal percentage
FGAField goals attemptedFGMField goals madeFOFouled outFPGFouls per game
FT%Free throw percentageFTAFree throws attemptedFTMFree throws madeGGames
MinMinutesMPGMinutes per gameOROffensive reboundsPFPersonal fouls
PPGPoints per gamePtsPointsRebReboundsRPGRebounds per game
SStartsStlStealsTOTurnovers

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Pimm</span> American former basketball coach

Jerry Pimm is an American former basketball coach. He served as the head men's basketball coach at the University of Utah from 1974 to 1983 and the University of California, Santa Barbara from 1983 to 1998, compiling career college basketball coaching record of 395–288.

Kevin Bromley is an American basketball coach, who is currently one of the assistant coaches at UC Santa Barbara. Bromley joined UCSB as an assistant coach in 2011. He was the former head coach for Cal Poly. Bromley held the head coaching position at Cal Poly from 2001–2009, compiling an overall record of 99–145.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UC Santa Barbara Gauchos</span> Collegiate sports club in the United States

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are the intercollegiate athletic teams who represent the University of California, Santa Barbara. Referred to in athletic competition as UC Santa Barbara or UCSB, the Gauchos participate in 19 NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports with the majority competing in the Big West Conference. UCSB currently fields varsity teams in 10 men's sports and 9 women's sports.

Joe Pasternack III is an American college basketball coach. He is the current head coach of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, having been appointed to the position in March 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Avila</span> American soccer player

Eric Humberto Avila is an American professional soccer player who has played as a midfielder and defender.

Dave Gorrie was a college baseball coach. He served as the head coach at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 1960 to 1977 and at Pepperdine University from 1979 to 1988. He coached the Pepperdine Wave to the 1979 College World Series, where they placed third. Gorrie finished his career as a private hitting instructor and a volunteer hitting coach at Panola Junior College in Carthage, Texas.

Andrew Checketts is an American college baseball coach and former player. He currently is the head coach of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.

Edra Carlene Mitchell is the current interim head coach of the CSUN Matadors women's basketball team. She was previously the assistant coach of the American basketball team Chicago Sky of the WNBA and the former head coach of the women's basketball program at UC Santa Barbara. Before taking her first head coaching job with the Gauchos, Mitchell spent 10 years as an assistant coach to C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers University, spending her last three years as associate head coach.

The 2013–14 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by 16th year head coach Bob Williams, played their home games at the UC Santa Barbara Events Center, nicknamed The Thunderdome, as members of the Big West Conference. They finished the season 21–9, 12–4 in Big West play to finish in second place. They lost in the quarterfinals of the Big West Conference tournament to Cal Poly. Despite having 21 wins, they did not participate in a post season tournament.

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos baseball team represents the University of California, Santa Barbara in the sport of baseball. The Gauchos compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) through the Big West Conference. They are currently led by head coach Andrew Checketts, who led his fifth season with the Gauchos in 2016.

The 2016–17 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by 19th-year head coach Bob Williams, played their home games at the UC Santa Barbara Events Center, nicknamed the Thunderdome, as members of the Big West Conference.

The 2017–18 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by first-year head coach Joe Pasternack, will played their home games at the UC Santa Barbara Events Center, better known as The Thunderdome, in Santa Barbara, California, as members of the Big West Conference. They finished the season 23–9, 11–5 in Big West play to finish in a tie for second place. As the No. 2 seed in the Big West tournament, they defeated Cal Poly before losing to UC Irvine in the semifinals. Despite winning 23 games, they did not participate in a postseason tournament.

The 2019–20 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represent the University of California, Santa Barbara in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by 3rd-year head coach Joe Pasternack, play their home games at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, California as members of the Big West Conference.

The 1989–90 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara during the 1989–90 college basketball season. They were led by head coach Jerry Pimm in his 7th season at UCSB. The Gauchos were members of the Big West Conference and played their home games at the UC Santa Barbara Events Center, also known as The Thunderdome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Heidegger</span> American basketball player

Maximilian Heidegger is an American-Israeli professional basketball player for Saski Baskonia of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for UC Santa Barbara.

The 2020–21 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by fourth-year head coach Joe Pasternack, play their home games at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, California as members of the Big West Conference. They finished the season 22-5, 13-3 in Big West Play to finish as regular season champions. They defeated Long Beach State, UC Davis, and UC Irvine to be champions of the Big West tournament. They received the Big West’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Creighton.

The 2021–22 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by fifth-year head coach Joe Pasternack, played their home games at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, California as members of the Big West Conference. They finished the season 17–11, 8–5 in Big West play to finish in fifth place. They defeated UC Irvine in the quarterfinals of the Big West tournament before losing to Long Beach State in the semifinals.

The 1987–88 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represented the University of California, Santa Barbara during the 1987–88 college basketball season. They were led by head coach Jerry Pimm in his 5th season at UCSB. The Gauchos were members of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association and played their home games at the UC Santa Barbara Events Center, also known as The Thunderdome.

Branduinn Fullove is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.

The 2022–23 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team represents the University of California, Santa Barbara in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Gauchos, led by sixth-year head coach Joe Pasternack, play their home games at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, California as members of the Big West Conference.

References

  1. ↑ Tara Sullivan (December 26, 2007). "Zurich maturing into a starring role". The Record . pp. S1–S4. Retrieved January 26, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. ↑ "Making It Happen";Kate Burkholder; www.scarletknights.com [ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Zurich Accepts Position on University of California-Santa Barbara Women's Basketball Staff";Wagner College Athletics
  4. ↑ "As her career at Rutgers draws to a close, senior Heather Zurich has no regrets", Fensom, Michael J., Inside Jersey , March 2, 2009.
  5. ↑ Zach Miller (June 9, 2020). "Heather Zurich voted North Jersey's greatest athlete". NorthJersey.com . Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ Tim Leonard (March 23, 2005). "Fundamentally good". The Record . p. X8. Retrieved January 26, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. 1 2 "Former Rutgers Standout Zurich Named Assistant Coach"; May 18, 2010; Wagner College Athletics
  8. ↑ Bridget Wentworth (March 25, 2009). "Scrappy Heather Zurich key to Rutgers women moving on in NCAA Tournament". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ Michael J. Fensom (August 24, 2009). "Former Rutgers forward Heather Zurich signs to play in the Netherlands". The Star-Ledger . Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Basketball Agents". eurobasket.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  11. ↑ Danny Colvin (May 18, 2010). "Wagner women's basketball tabs Heather Zurich as graduate assistant". Staten Island Advance . Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Zurich aan de slag bij Wagner Seahawks". RTV Utrecht (in Dutch). June 18, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Mitchell starts putting staff together, hires 2 former Rutgers players"; Barry Punzal; Presidio Sports; May 26, 2011
  14. ↑ "Wagner's Zurich accepts California position";Danny Colvin; SILive.com; June 7, 2011
  15. ↑ LIU Brooklyn Athletics, ""Gardner and Zurich Join Women’s Basketball Staff"
  16. ↑ "2005–06 Rutgers Women's Basketball"; www.scarletknights.com
  17. ↑ "2006–07 Rutgers Women's Basketball"; www.scarletknights.com
  18. ↑ "2007–08 Rutgers Women's Basketball"; www.scarletknights.com
  19. ↑ "2008–09 Rutgers Women's Basketball"; www.scarletknights.com
  20. ↑ "2009–10 AutoCAD Amazone Leidsche Rijn Dames Eredivisie Basketball"; Luc Reuvers; Team Scout
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.