Morristown, N.J. – Saint Elizabeth University Director of Athletics, Juliene Brazinski Simpson, has announced her retirement, and will step away from her role on July 31, 2020. She has served as the leader of the athletics department at Saint Elizabeth since 2009.
 
A member of the class of 2000 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Simpson played and incredible role in transforming the SEU athletic department into what it is today. During her tenure, she was paramount in the institution's transition to co-ed, and added six men's teams including basketball, cross country, volleyball, soccer, tennis and baseball. The number of student-athletes enrolled at Saint Elizabeth went from roughly 50 to 200 during her time leading the Eagles.
 
"From where I sit, Juliene Simpson's name is synonymous with SEU athletics," said Saint Elizabeth University President Dr. Helen Streubert. "She is and will always be a tireless advocate for student-athletes and the coaching and athletic staff who have worked beside her.  Juliene has a 100% "CAN DO" attitude about everything.  I will miss her immensely as I imagine all of those who have had the pleasure of working with her will.  Her vision is clear, her heart is strong and her commitment to education and athletics has been unwavering.  Her family has sacrificed countless hours of her time which she gave to us.  I am glad her time with them has come.  Words are inadequate to express my deep appreciation and well wishes for her next life chapter."
 
Simpson played college basketball and softball at John F. Kennedy University in Nebraska where she was a standout on the court and won a softball national championship. After graduating, she became a member of 11 different U.S. Women's National Basketball Teams representing the U.S. in international competition including the first-ever women's basketball U.S. Olympic team. Some highlights include a silver medal in the 1973 World University Games, a gold medal in the 1975 Pan Am Games, and a silver medal in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where she was the co-captain along with Pat Summitt.
 
Following her playing career, she got her first head coaching position at Amarillo Junior College.  After one season, she moved on to become the University of Cincinnati's women's basketball coach. A year later, Simpson was named the head women's basketball coach at Arizona State University. During her eight seasons at Arizona State, she became the second winningest coach in program history with over 300 wins. Two of her teams were ranked in the top-20 which included a berth in the sweet sixteen and a runner up finish in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.  Simpson was named Western Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year, regional coach of the year, and also had highest university sports team GPA six out of her eight seasons.
 
Following her time at Arizona State, Simpson went on to coach six seasons and Bucknell University, which included a Patriot League Championship in 1996. In 1997, Simpson moved on to coach four seasons at Marshall University, followed by eight more seasons at East Stroudsburg University.
 
In 2000, Simpson was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.  In 2001, she was the recipient of the Carol Eckerman Award given out by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
 
Those that were fortunate enough to work with and know Juliene at Saint Elizabeth are going to miss seeing her every day in Saint Joseph's Hall. Her unrivaled leadership, energy, enthusiasm, wisdom, humor and storytelling will be greatly missed. Everyone at SEU wishes her nothing but the best in the next chapter.