Sunday, April 26, 2026

605 Sports
Sully Buttes grad Katie Bourk joins Northern State women’s basketball coaching staff
Sully Buttes graduate Katie Bourk was named as an assistant coach for the Northern State women's basketball team on June 27.

Sully Buttes grad Katie Bourk joins Northern State women’s basketball coaching staff

Jun 27, 2023
  

By 605 Sports Staff

ABERDEEN — Long-time Augustana University assistant women’s basketball coach Katie Bourk is headed to Northern State University. Bourk, who spent the past 12 seasons at Augie, was announced as one of two new assistants for the Wolves on June 27. 

Bourk, a Sully Buttes High School graduate, spent two seasons as a graduate assistant and 10 seasons as a full-time assistant with the Vikings. Augustana posted a record of 254-100 with Bourk on staff, making four NCAA Tournament appearances, including one Central Region Championship and Final Four appearance. Bourk coached four WBCA All-Americans, two NSIC Players of the Year, and five NSIC Defensive Players of the Year in her tenure. In 2018, Bourk was honored by the WBCA with the 30 Under 30 Coaching Award.

"I'm so excited to be joining the Northern State women's basketball program," Bourk said in a release. "Being able to stay close to home, along with my familiarity with the NSIC and Northern make this a wonderful opportunity for me. I can't wait to be in a basketball town like Aberdeen that supports the student-athletes like they do."

  

Bourk opened her coaching career at Colman-Egan High School, assisting with the junior varsity and varsity programs. In addition to her assistant duties at Augustana, Bourk served as the team's recruiting coordinator. She is a 2011 graduate of Dakota State University, earning a bachelor's in Physical Education and 2013 graduate of Augustana University, earning a master's in Sports Administration and Leadership.

"Special thanks to coach Paula Krueger for allowing me to join a program that means so much to her," Bourk added. "I'm looking forward to learning from her, her staff, and working with our student-athletes to continue to elevate the storied basketball tradition that is Northern State women's basketball. Go Wolves."

Josh Lees also joins the staff after five seasons as the head coach at Oakland Community College. At OCC, Lees was a 2-time MCCAA Coach of the Year and led his team to a top-20 ranking in the NJCAA. Oakland made their first national tournament appearance in school history under his direction and led the league defensively in back-to-back seasons.

"We are excited to add Josh and Katie to our staff for this coming season," said Krueger. "They bring a great deal of experience, knowledge, and energy to our program. We can't wait to get started."