INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Indianapolis athletic department is pleased to announce the addition of Avon, Ind., native and former Division I assistant coach Kristin Drabyn as the ninth head women's basketball coach in program history.
 
Drabyn takes over after spending the last three years as an assistant coach at crosstown IUPUI. With Drabyn on staff, the Jaguars recorded a 59-37 record, setting a single-season program mark with 23 wins in 2013-14. Following a 15-16 season  in 2014-15, the Jags finished 21-11 in 2015-16, which included a trip to the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) that saw IUPUI garner its second-ever tournament win.

"It takes a special person to meet the needs of our student-athletes, coaches and administrative staff, but this search ended with a unanimous vote of support for Kristin." said Dr. Sue Willey, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "Her enthusiasm and deep sense of dedication and determination for this position stood out among her other excellent qualities. Kristin will be a great fit for our department and university. We are thrilled that she will be leading our women's basketball team back to the success that is expected of all of our UIndy programs."

Drabyn takes over a UIndy program coming off of back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1999.
 
Working under head coach and former Purdue starter Austin Parkinson, Drabyn served as the recruiting coordinator at IUPUI, as well as the academic liaison, head of guard player development and the manager of opponent scouting responsibilities.
 
"I would like to thank Dr. Willey and the hiring committee for giving me this tremendous opportunity at the University of Indianapolis," Drabyn said. "UIndy is a special place and I cannot express my excitement enough to be a part of the Greyhound family. I have a passion for teaching the game of basketball, and I bring high energy with everything I do. I want the players to feel that every day. It is truly an honor to be the head coach at a university in my home state that has established itself on a national level athletically and academically." 
 
Prior to returning home to Central Indiana, Drabyn served as the head assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), from 2011-13. While assisting head coach Phil Stern, Drabyn had a number of duties at UMBC, including serving as the program's recruiting coordinator, head of player development, lead opponent scout, academic liaison and head of alumni relations.
 
Before joining the UMBC staff, she assisted 12-time Patriot League Champion head coach Bill Gibbons at the College of Holy Cross in 2010-11 where she helped out with scouting, recruiting, practice planning, guard development and video coordination.
 
Drabyn broke into the coaching community in July 2008 when she was named a graduate assistant at Texas Tech University, where she assisted with the day-to-day operations, video responsibilities and the organization of summer camps. She graduated from Texas Tech with her Master's degree in sport management in 2010.
 
As a player at UMBC, Drabyn was a four-year letter winner for the Retrievers from 2004-2008 and helped guide the team to the 2007 America East championship and a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament. She was named to the America East All-Conference Third Team as a senior in 2008 after averaging 11.4 points per game. She graduated in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in broadcast communications and exercise physiology.

An introductory press conference will be held on the UIndy campus Wednesday, Apr. 6 at 3 p.m. in the Hines Hospitality Room in Nicoson Hall.

What others are saying about Kristin Drabyn:
 
"The University of Indianapolis has made an awesome hire in Kristin Drabyn! She is a bright, young star in our profession who possesses an incredible work ethic and passion for the game of basketball. She is a tremendous role model and leader for young women. No question Greyhound basketball has hired a winner!"
– Kristy Curry, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University of Alabama

"I am incredibly proud and excited for Kristin as she gets this opportunity to run her own program. Her knowledge of the game, heart for others and passion for teaching will make an immediate impact at UIndy.  Although she will be missed as a colleague, we will be rooting her on from just up the road."
– Austin Parkinson, Head Women's Basketball Coach, IUPUI
 
"I am so happy for Kristin. She is a tireless worker and outstanding recruiter who exemplifies the highest of character in our profession. Her enthusiasm for the game of basketball will permeate throughout the athletic department, and I expect great things in the near future for the UIndy Greyhounds."
– Bill Brock, Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach, Baylor University

"The University of Indianapolis is getting an awesome coach and an even better person to lead their program. Kristin Drabyn is an authentic source of positivity and will bring great energy to every aspect of her role as Head Coach. Her players will learn so much from her and she will set a tremendous example for them with her incredible work ethic just as she did when she was a player. I am excited to follow her on this journey."
– Katie Rokus, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, University of Cincinnati