Addie Micir Helping Lehigh Women's Basketball Elevate Their Game

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The head coach inherited a stable program, but facing Duke in the NCAA Tournament was the first step in taking Lehigh women’s basketball to the next level.

Stephen Gross

Lehigh Athletics

January 14, 2026

Athletics

Student Experience

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Alumni Bulletin

Hours after the Lehigh women’s basketball team won the program’s second Patriot League title in 15 years, they learned their next opponent would be Duke—one of college basketball’s most storied programs. Watching the NCAA Tournament Selection Show alongside President Joseph J. Helble ’82, Provost Nathan Urban and many other athletics coaches proved to be one of many special moments that week.

“They felt like celebrities,” Head Coach Addie Micir said. “They felt so special.”

Two days later, outfitted in brand-new gear provided by Under Armour, they were on a flight to Durham, N.C. Fans recognized the Lehigh logo from 2012, when the men’s team stunned Duke, and offered encouragement, only adding to the experience, Micir said.

Upon arrival, another “swag box” provided the team with NCAA Tournament-branded merchandise.

“It was a whirlwind,” Micir said.

A basketball player in brown prepares to pass while two defenders in white guard her.

Forward Whitney Lind ’27 looks to make a pass against Duke in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

While the result differed from the last time a Lehigh basketball team faced Duke, it showed Micir elevating the program in a new landscape, which includes NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals, as she wrapped up her third season at the helm.

Filling the shoes of Sue Troyan, who led the program for 27 seasons, was no easy task. But coming off Patriot League Coach of the Year honors, Micir has made the program her own, something Troyan encouraged her to do.

In addition to inheriting a stable program, one of things at Lehigh that has stood out to Micir is the community and alumni support. It’s been evident through emails, texts, financial contributions or even with community members stopping players walking around South Bethlehem.

“People have shown up for our program,” Micir said. “That, to me, has been one of the most special things about this place.”

For Micir, the next step is to focus on stronger play within the Patriot League—a few conference losses factored into their No. 15 NCAA Tournament seeding this past spring—and recording more “big-time, non-conference wins” to better prepare for postseason play.

“This is the standard now, not just winning championships, but the way in which we compete,” Micir said. “And if we continue to do that right, there are more banners to hang.”