RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Blake DuDonis has stepped down as University of Wisconsin-River Falls head women's basketball coach, as announced Friday, April 15 by Athletics Director Crystal Lanning.

DuDonis will pursue another coaching opportunity.

"Being the head women's basketball coach at UWRF has been one of the greatest honors and joys of my life," said DuDonis. "I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. I cannot thank Crystal Lanning, Kellen Wells-Mangold, Charlie Sowa, Steve Stocker, and the entire UWRF athletics department enough for the support that they have given us during my time here. In everything I do in life, I try to leave whatever I touch better than I found it. I walk away from this program with my head held high knowing I did that here. While I am excited for the newest chapter of my career, I leave UWRF with great fondness and will miss it greatly."

Recently completing his third season at the helm of the Falcon women's basketball program in 2021-22, DuDonis led UWRF to its most WIAC wins since 2018-19, the first WIAC Tournament win since 2016-17, and the most overall wins since 2017-18 despite playing the 30^th toughest schedule in the country. The team also broke the program record for most made three-pointers in a season, totaling 206, which was also the fourth highest mark in WIAC history.

"I would like to thank Coach DuDonis for his commitment to Falcon Athletics over the past three years," Lanning commented. "He has elevated the profile and competitiveness of the women's basketball program and has laid the foundation for future success. I wish him all the best as he pursues a new professional opportunity."

Shelby Lyman, the associate head coach under DuDonis, will serve as the interim head coach for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
 
"To the student-athletes that played for me: thank you," DuDonis said. "You gave me all that I asked of you and more. We accomplished so much together on the court and, more importantly, made lifelong memories off it. I will never forget any of you and hope you know how much you all mean to me. Even though I'm moving onto a new opportunity, I'll never move on from this program. I just have a new role now: a fan. I can't wait to watch and cheer from afar as you all pursue the greatness that you all deserve. Thank you for all you gave me. I love you all."