SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster University Athletics has selected Asami Morita to be the new head coach of the women’s basketball team. Not only does Morita bring a wealth of experience from the professional and NCAA Division I level, but she is also blazing a trail for all Japanese and Asian women in the sports world as the first Japanese-born head coach in college basketball.
The hiring marks the first time that a person of full Japanese nationality has been named the head coach of an NCAA basketball program, on either the men’s or women’s side, based on research from the data available.
“I’m excited to be at Westminster University and leading the women’s basketball program,” said Morita. “What attracted me to Westminster was the university’s small size, which, having been at smaller schools during my career, is something that’s comfortable for me and allows me to get to know everything and everyone on campus—it feels more like a family. Also, the high academics and, being an immigrant myself, the strong focus on diversity here at Westminster were very important to me.”
Alongside her goal of making an impact on and off the court for the NCAA Division II Griffin women’s basketball program, Morita also recognizes the impact she can have on Japanese females who traditionally don’t acquire coaching roles. “There are almost no female basketball coaches in Japan. Every coach I’ve played for or played against has been male. There was no female coaching role model for me in Japan.” Morita wants to help change that.
She regularly hosts virtual coaching clinics for Japanese coaches where she gives back to her country from all that she has learned throughout her coaching experience in the United States—a journey that began in small-town Idaho, then continued near the Mexico border at a junior college in Yuma, Arizona, and skipping across the country at NCAA Division I schools in Pennsylvania and Nevada after a brief stop back in Japan to coach professionally on the men’s side.
Her goal is to help progress the movement of women in Japan obtaining a stable and successful career in a country that is traditionally very male-dominated and male-focused, where women pursuing or having a career is still seen as difficult. She wants to be a role model for all the young girls and women who dream of having a career in sports, especially those from Japan.
“I created my own track in life, one that is different from the traditional track of what’s expected of women in Japan. I just hope that there are more female coaches from Japan who will follow what I’ve done. I would tell them that it won’t be easy, and I was lucky, but it can be done, and I will help them,” said Morita.
Before arriving at Westminster, Morita spent years at the NCAA Division I level as an assistant coach, most recently at the University of Nevada, Reno, and also at Robert Morris University (PA) where Morita helped guide the Colonials to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, 3 conference tournament championships, and 4 regular season titles. She also served as an assistant coach for the Shiga Lakestars, a professional men's basketball team in the Japan BJ-League.
"I'm very pleased to announce Asami Morita as the next head coach of our women's basketball program," said Westminster Director of Athletics, Shay Wyatt. "Asami comes highly regarded and well mentored, having assisted with and led successful programs and championship teams. Her calm and confident demeanor along with her philosophy and passion to further develop our student-athletes and build upon the success of our women's basketball program stood out. Our search yielded an impressive candidate pool and competitive process. We look forward to welcoming Coach Morita to our institution and team.”
Coach Morita was hired in the summer of 2023 and kicked off the fall semester leading the women’s basketball team. They have about a half dozen more games left in the season. The media is welcome to attend any of the following games to catch the team playing a home game at the Dolores Doré Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center on the Westminster University campus in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Remaining women’s basketball home games:
- Friday, Feb. 16, at 5 p.m. (vs. Metro State University, Denver)
- Thursday, Feb. 29, at 5:30 p.m. (vs. Western Colorado University)
To request an interview with Coach Asami Morita, please contact Emily Samore, Director of Strategic Communications, by email (esamore@westminsteru.edu).
