CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park University has found its new Head Women's Basketball Coach as John Born, Director of Athletics, announced Friday morning that Kira Mowen will lead the Vikings next season.
"North Park is excited to welcome Kira Mowen as our Head Women's Basketball Coach. Coach Mowen brings a distinguished record of leadership, competitive excellence, and student-athlete development that aligns strongly with our mission," said Born. "Her strategic vision for the program, combined with her commitment to fostering both academic and athletic success, positions her as an outstanding addition to the NPU family. We are confident that Coach Mowen will elevate the women's basketball program and make a meaningful impact on our student-athletes for years to come."
Mowen had two previous stops as a head coach with success at both institutions. From 2023-2026 Mowen was at the helm of Millersville University, where her teams qualified for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs in all three seasons. In her two years at Knox College (2021-2023) Mowen's teams finished with a combined record of 35-19 and notched their first ever Midwest Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. Through her five seasons of leadership at Knox and Millersville, Mowen guided numerous players to all-conference status.
At Monmouth University, Mowen was the Associate Head Coach and Director of Recruiting from 2018-2020. She played a key role in developing multiple players to an all-conference level, built all-freshman teams, and produced a top-10 shooter in the NCAA. Monmouth notched a program best fourth-place finish in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) during Mowen's time on staff.
Mowen spent a year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2017-18) as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator where she coached two Horizon League all-conference players and "worked as a vital piece to signing the top recruiting class in the Horizon League," according to Dan Olson from the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
"I'm incredibly honored to join the basketball team at North Park University," said Mowen. "I want to thank President Surridge, Director of Athletics John Born, and the search committee for this opportunity. My vision is to build a program that consistently competes at the top of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), while providing a transformational experience for the student athletes. Competing in the CCIW requires toughness and discipline every night. We are going to accept that challenge and build a culture set with pride in mind. The team is hungry and I cannot wait to get started."
As a student-athlete, Mowen began her career at the University of Illinois before playing three seasons and graduating with a degree in applied science from Youngstown State. While at Illinois, Mowen played under 1992 Team USA and Hall of Fame coach Theresa Grentz. Mowen also earned a master of education degree from Texas State in 2010 while serving as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons.
