VANCOUVER - After a distinguished varsity playing career followed by 14 years as Assistant Coach of the UBC Women's basketball program Carrie Watts is heading across Georgia Strait having accepted the new head coaching position with the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team.
 
Watts' impact and accomplishments as a Thunderbird have been well documented and reflected by her induction to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame just last month. In the early 2000's Carrie was a driving force in the Thunderbirds return to national prominence under the guidance of her mentor and legendary, long-time head coach Deb Huband. Carrie led the 'Birds on an extraordinary championship run in 2004, capturing the team's first title since 1974, and earning National Championship MVP recognition.


 
"We're very pleased for Carrie and the opportunity she has taken with a first-class school and program at UVic," said Kavie Toor, UBC Managing Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Carrie is a dedicated alumna, coach and role model who has been a big part of the UBC women's basketball program's success while positively influencing so many student-athletes. We value coach Watts' contributions and look forward to seeing her back in the gym in competition soon."
 
Following graduation, the Agassiz, BC, native spent three years with the Senior Women's National team, representing Canada at the Pan American Games and FIBA World Championships before returning to UBC in 2007 as the program's full-time Assistant Coach.


 
Watts' contributions with the blue and gold continued in her new role on the sidelines beside coach Huband, helping lead the program to a National Championship title in 2008. Further hardware included a silver and bronze medal at subsequent national championships to go along with three Canada West titles.
 
Watts' resume also includes six stints as the head coach of Basketball BC's U15 and U17 provincial teams, leading to back-to-back bronze medals at the U15 National Championships in 2010 and 2011. She also served as the assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade.


 
UBC Varsity Athletics and the Women's basketball program have been fortunate to have Carrie as both a standout student-athlete and coach, who's passion, leadership and knowledge for the game has elevated so many players along the way.
 
Watts becomes the eighth head coach in Vikes women's basketball program history and begins her new role effective June 28, 2021.