DUDLEY, Mass. (Mar. 20) – Nichols College Director of Athletics Charlyn Robert has announced Alice Mullen as the Bison's next head women's basketball coach. Mullen, an assistant with the Bison last season, replaces Natalie Soffen '04, who resigned after five seasons at the helm to spend more time with her growing family.

“When Coach Soffen decided to depart Nichols after five seasons, we didn't hesitate to bring Alice on as the head coach.  She brought great energy to each and every practice and game last season as our assistant coach. She is passionate about coaching and is a dedicated ambassador for women's basketball—I am looking forward to a very exciting 2012-2013 season with Coach Mullen at the helm.”

A 2010 graduate of Rhode Island College, Mullen stayed on at her alma mater to serve as an assistant on the Anchorwomen's staff the following year, guiding them to a program record-tying 20-7 showing and the second round of the Little East Conference Tournament for the first time in six years. Mullen had a hand in recruiting the Anchorwomen's standout freshman class that helped RIC to the Little East regular season and championship titles in 2012.

“I am extremely excited to be named the head women's basketball coach at Nichols College,” said Mullen. “I'm looking forward to bringing my passion, energy and enthusiasm to Bison Basketball. Building the program around the foundation and development of exceptional student-athletes who want to represent Nichols the proper way will make us a championship contender in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. I truly want to thank Athletic Director Charlie Robert for this opportunity to lead the women's basketball program into a new era.”

When Mullen joined the Bison last season, Nichols returned to the CCC postseason after a two-year hiatus, narrowly falling to top seed and regionally-ranked University of New England in the quarterfinal round in Biddeford, Maine. The Bison impressed in the details, ranking in the top half of the conference standings in blocks and steals, as well as in assists and turnover margin. 

In her four-year career at Rhode Island College, Mullen played in 105 games (third all-time), starting 52 at guard. She totaled 673 points, 338 rebounds, 161 assists, 82 steals and 30 blocks.

In addition to her dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and women's studies, Mullen holds a certificate in non-profit studies from Rhode Island College and is pursuing a Master's Degree in sport management at Nichols. She is a 2011 graduate of the Nike/WBCA So You Want to Be a Coach program and has coached at several regional camps, including the Blue Star Exposure Clinic, Hoop Mountain Exposure Camp, and the Batastini School of Basketball Camp.

Soffen departs Nichols with the most wins by any women's basketball coach and a career record of 75-58. She was named the CCC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year in 2009 after guiding the Bison to the top seed in both the CCC and ECAC DIII New England Championship Tournament, as well as the Bison's first ever appearance in the ECAC Championship title game. That season the Bison set a program record for wins with 25, and posted a record 21-game unbeaten streak. She was inducted into the Nichols College Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2009 for her achievements during her time as a player at Nichols.

“I have had the honor of being a part of Nichols College Athletics as a student-athlete and coach for over 10 years,” said Soffen. “Assisting in the development of student-athletes has truly been my passion, but now I am turning my attention to my growing family. I want to thank the Nichols College community for the friends and family I have made both on and off the court. The opportunity to assist in the development of student-athletes and the women's basketball program is something I cherish and I am proud to call myself a Bison for life.”

Soffen was appointed head women's basketball coach at Nichols in July 2007 after serving as an assistant coach at Nichols for two seasons, during which time she helped lead the Bison to a 37-19 record and a pair of ECAC Tournament appearances. She previously served one season as an assistant coach at nearby Worcester State and was named Nichols' senior woman administrator in 2009.

A 2004 Nichols graduate, Soffen was a three-sport athlete for the Bison, lettering in basketball, soccer and softball. She received Nichols' prestigious Charles M. Hopkins Award at the end of her senior year for academic and athletic achievements. With 1,135 career points, Soffen is one of just 11 players in Bison history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. She stands third all-time at Nichols in career free-throw percentage, assists and blocks.
Mullen will begin her tenure immediately.