Former UE point guard Anna Newman (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) is returning to the Purple Aces as an Assistant Coach for the 2024-25 women's basketball season. Newman was a key Evansville women's basketball member over her five-season career from 2018 to 2023. For her final two years with the Aces, Newman was coached by current Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells.
"It's incredibly special when a former player chooses not only to get into coaching but to start that journey with our staff," says Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells. "In my two years of coaching Anna, she was an extension of my coaching both on the court and in the locker room. She is one of the most consistent players I have had the privilege of coaching.
"Anna showed up every day to practice ready to work and compete. I know she will bring that same drive to our program as an assistant coach. In addition to her competitive drive, Anna is a great human. I know she will have a tremendous impact on our players, and I am so excited for our players to have her as a part of their support system here at UE."
Over her five seasons with the Aces, Newman put herself in the program record book on multiple occasions. The Evansville native is currently in the program's top 10 in both assists and made free throws. Newman has the fourth most assists in UE history with 429 and eighth in free throws with 294 made over 133 games played. Newman was also a consistent starter during her time at Evansville, starting 85% of her career in a Purple Aces uniform. In her final season, Newman averaged 28 minutes a game with 6.3 points and 3.9 assists.
"Returning to the Purple Aces as a coach is a full-circle moment for me," says Newman. "As a former player, I'm honored to guide the next generation of Aces to instill in them the same passion and dedication I had as a student-athlete.
"Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells' mentorship and support played a pivotal role in shaping my journey as a young adult. She was all about lifting the team up and making us better at both basketball and in life. She's extremely committed to the program and genuinely cares for her players, which is the kind of energy I want to bring to the program. This philosophy has me so excited to be back with the Aces, and I'm ready to hit the ground running!"
Following her graduation from UE with a bachelor's degree in sports communication and a master's in leadership, Newman spent a year with MADE Hoops as an Events and Operations Coordinator. With MADE Hoops, Newman helped market their Midwest Girls Academy and organized tournament events with an emphasis on scheduling and logistics. Newman also spends time training student-athletes in the Evansville area with her personal training business, Next Level Training.
