Lake Superior State expects to continue its solid standing in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women’s basketball by naming former Ferris State and University of Maine assistant coach Justin Rees its new head women’s basketball coach.

LSSU Director of Athletics Kris Dunbar made the announcement on May 15, 2011. He replaced Jamie Pewinski, who was named head women’s basketball coach at her alma mater, Saginaw Valley State, on April 18.  

“I am pleased that Coach Rees will be leading our women's basketball program,” Dunbar said. “His knowledge of the GLIAC and his experience recruiting in Michigan will help our program immediately. He is known for his integrity and passion for the game, which will help bring positive results for LSSU.”

Rees, a Florida native who played basketball at Barry University, was an assistant coach at Post University from 1999-02, Ferris State from 2002-07 and Maine from 2007-11. He was Maine’s recruiting coordinator and worked on-court primarily with post players. He was the associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and camps director at FSU.

Rees looks forward to returning to the NCAA Division II ranks, which strives to give student-athletes a better “work-life balance” than Division I offers, but he hopes to incorporate what he learned in Division I about intensity and commitment to succeed. 

"Building stronger bonds with and among student-athletes – you learn to respect that and it’s one of the reasons I chose to come back to Division II," Rees said. "It’s also one of the reasons I chose to play Division II. You’re going to get more of that family feel at Division II.”