SPEARFISH, S.D. – Director of Athletics Mark Nore announced today, April 25, that former Yellow Jacket Rachel Erickson will be the next head coach of the Black Hills State University women’s basketball program. Erickson returns to BHSU after serving as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Colorado State University.
“I am so honored and excited to welcome Rachel Erickson as our new women’s basketball coach at Black Hills State University,” noted Nore. “She has been a part of many amazing basketball programs over the years and has grown into a shining star.”
Erickson returns to her alma mater after a two-year stint at Colorado State where she spent time as both the Director of Player Development (2022-23) and as an assistant coach this past season (2023-24). This past season with the Rams, Erickson helped lead the Rams to the Mountain West Conference (MWC) semifinals and a 20-11 (10-8 MWC) record.
Additionally while at CSU, she coached the Honorable Mention AP and Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association (WBCA) All-American (2023-24) and four-time All-Mountain West performer in McKenna Hofschild, including her MWC Player of the Year honors of the 2022-23 season.
“I want to thank Athletic Director Mark Nore for his belief in me and for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to coach at my alma mater,” commented Erickson. “I am excited once again be part of the Black Hills State community and carry on the strong tradition of the women’s basketball program. Go Jackets!”
Prior to Colorado State, she spent two seasons as the head assistant at the University of Sioux Falls. During her time with USF, the Cougars compiled a 24-18 overall record and a 19-14 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play, while earning two trips to the NSIC conference tournament. She coached a pair of All-NSIC athletes in First Team honoree Anna Brecht and Second Team performer Megan Fannin, while coaching seven academic all-conference honorees.
“It is a very exciting for me to hire someone I was fortunate enough to coach to lead this women’s basketball team. Rachel is a fierce competitor, a great teammate and all-around wonderful person,” concluded Nore. “I am extremely excited for her to lead this team and take them to the next level.”
A native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Erickson enjoyed a four-year career for Nore and helped the Yellow Jackets compile a 69-45 record with two 20-win seasons and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. She was a mainstay in the Yellow Jacket starting rotation her junior and season seasons and was a two-time All-RMAC honoree. As a senior in 2017-18, BHSU went 24-8 (16-6 RMAC) and Erickson earned First Team honors, averaging 12.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. That same year, she was named the BHSU Women’s Athlete of the Year.
She graduated from Black Hills State in 2018 with a degree in science education. She would go on to earn a master’s degree in strategic leadership from BHSU, while serving as a graduate assistant for the women’s basketball program.
Erickson replaces Nore who served as the head women’s basketball coach for 22 seasons prior to taking over as the athletic director in early April.
