April 9, 2008

Ashleigh Galligan Commits to Northland College

The Northland College Women’s Basketball Program has announced that Ashleigh Galligan, a 6'0” forward from Campbellsport, WI, will attend Northland College and play basketball for the Jills next year. Galligan was a four-year contributor for the Cougars who competed in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference. During those four years, Campbellsport finished with an overall record of 62-27 record and a conference record of 45-11, including 38-4 the last three years, finishing in either first or second place during those three years. During her senior year, Galligan averaged 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and pitched in with 1.8 steals and 1.1 assists per game. She shot 36% from the field on the year and 64% from the free throw line. She had career highs of 18 points and 15 rebounds this past season as well. Galligan was awarded three team awards: top field goal percentage, team free throws, and team rebounds.

Northland’s Head Coach, Dan Roiger, had this to say about Galligan, “ I am just really excited to add Ashleigh to our roster next year and know she is excited about playing for us! We have added an excellent player to our roster. Ashleigh is a competitor, a hard worker, intelligent, and wants to get better. When I first saw her play last summer in a tournament, I was amazed at how she was always in the right place at the right time. Her rebounding instincts are as good as anyone I’ve seen, and I believe she can be a very good offensive player when she learns to play with her back to the basket. Her best years in basketball will be in college, she put up good numbers and had a nice senior year playing in a system that utilized her away from the basket. Ashleigh hasn't been coached a great deal yet, so once she understands posting up and gets a soft touch around the basket, she is going to excel.  When we get her to where she can play to her strengths, she is going to develop into a very good basketball player. I can’t wait to see her on the floor with our team, and start working with her to help her reach the potential she has!”

The Northland College Women’s team finished 16-11 this past season, and 10-4 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. They took second place in the regular season, just one game out of first place, and advanced to the championship game of their conference tournament. They return their entire starting lineup for next season and 87% of their scoring.

Ashleigh is the daughter of Larry and Patricia Galligan of Campbellsport. She has three older siblings, Missy (30), Joey (28), and Brittany (21). She is an excellent student, and was recently honored in a banquet at Northland College for receiving one of the top scholarships offered. She carries a weighted grade point average of 4.25, is ranked near the top of her class, and was on the A Honor Roll for all four years of high school. She also received an All-Conference Art Show award. Coach Roiger added, “Ashleigh continues our tradition of getting top students in our program, and I believe her personality and academic excellence will fit well into our team.” Northland College Women’s Basketball players had a 3.37 team gpa and eight of their players were recognized by their conference with Academic All-Conference Awards this past season.