Her hires of Ruggles and Veilleux -- to a staff that will soon include an additional assistant coach -- both have strong ties to Bowdoin, where Pemper compiled a 235-48 record over the last 10 seasons as the program’s head coach.

Ruggles played under Pemper at the school, earning four letters for the Polar Bears and serving as the team captain during her senior campaign. The team won conference titles and qualified for the NCAA Tournament during each of her four years at the school and advanced to the national championship game in 2004.

After graduating from Bowdoin later that spring, Ruggles joined the coaching staff at Rochester. The Yellowjackets posted an 80-31 record during her four seasons at the school and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in each of her final three seasons. While serving as the recruiting coordinator, head junior varsity coach and assistant camp director for the basketball program, Ruggles also attained a Master’s Degree during her stint at Rochester.

''I am very grateful for this opportunity to join the Naval Academy community and the NAAA,'' said the recently married Ruggles, who played at Bowdoin with her maiden last name of Trotta. ''I am inspired by the mission of the college and by the quality student-athletes that we work with. Having played under Stefanie, I have seen first-hand how her leadership style encourages teams to work together with a common pride and determination to drive each other and get the most out of their collective abilities. I am looking forward to joining her staff and working together again to help our players enjoy successful and memorable playing experiences.''

''I’m excited to be reunited with Courtney,'' said Pemper. ''We had a lot of strong leaders at Bowdoin, but she was one of the few directly responsible for getting the program to its first national championship game. As a captain, Courtney understood how to be a player first, how to keep a team on task and how to manage morale. As a coach, she learned a lot working for (Rochester head coach) Jim Scheible in the strong UAA conference. Courtney has great insights into the game and team dynamics. She brings the same work ethic and love for basketball that she had as a player. Most importantly, she thinks for herself and isn’t afraid to give a divergent opinion. It’s a great fit.''

Veilleux has spent the last three seasons an Pemper’s lone assistant coach at Bowdoin. The Polar Bears won a pair of conference titles and advanced to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on two occasions during her trio of seasons on the staff. Among her many varied duties, Veilleux was very involved in the scouting of Bowdoin’s opponents, served as the team video coordinator and put together the summer strength and conditioning program.

A native of Augusta, Maine, Veilleux was a three-year starter at Maine and helped the Black Bears win America East Conference regular season crowns in 2003 and ’04 and advance to the NCAA Tournament during her final season.

''I am honored and inspired to have the opportunity to coach at the Naval Academy,'' said Veilleux. ''I’m thrilled to step into this challenge with Stefanie and our staff. Serving as her assistant the past three years, I fully respect and admire her coaching style and previous successes. I’m optimistic that her values and direction will create an environment that will be of great benefit to our players.''

''Julie was the first person I talked to when I accepted the job,'' said Pemper. ''She coaches all positions equally well and does a great job scouting and evaluating talent. Julie’s energy and sense of humor are contagious. We would not have had the success we had at Bowdoin without her.

''I’m excited for both Julie and Courtney to take on this next step, professionally and personally.''