The Northern Michigan University bench reacts to Jacy Weisbrod sinking a 3-pointer during a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal women’s basketball game played against Michigan Tech at Vandament Arena in Marquette on March 4. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University athletic department is hoping the community will rally around a capital project that will improve locker room conditions for the Wildcats’ women’s basketball team.

The NMU Women’s Basketball Locker Room Project’s stated goal is to “fundraise $110,000 to renovate and enhance the current locker room,” according to a news release from Northern’s Sports Information Department.

Specifically, the project calls to enhance lighting, update furniture, add state-of-the-art technology and redesign the shower area.

Doing those things will create “a warm, welcoming, and home-like atmosphere that fosters team connection, promotes well-being, and supports peak performance.”

The project statement goes on to state that this space is more than just a locker room, serving as a daily hub for student-athletes to prepare, grow and build lifelong memories while representing this Wildcats’ program.

The Wildcats’ women’s team has been one of the most successful at Northern. Just in the four years since Casey Thousand has been head coach, NMU has been 85-40, a .680 winning percentage, and has reached the NCAA Division II national tournament in each of the past three years.

Her predecessor, Troy Mattson, mentored the team from 2005-22 and had a 240-231 record with seven winning seasons and also three NCAA D-II appearances. He was inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2025, having spent 40 years coaching at the university with multiple teams and in multiple sports.

The university will be happy to accept any amount to help improve the women’s basketball locker room, with recognition on a donor wall with gifts starting at $1,000. A personalized plaque with your name will be displayed in the locker room to acknowledge your gift.

And there are leadership and transformational support opportunities for those giving at higher levels.

Those potentially interested can visit this NMU website, https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/80597/donations/new.

You can also contact Stasha Warchock, associate advancement officer at the NMU Foundation, by emailing her at swarchoc@nmu.edu or calling 906-227-2627.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the project. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.