Seawolf Athletics scores new director and head coaches

Seawolf Athletics is thrilled to announce a new era for Seawolf Nation, introducing four key leadership hires to guide its programs into the future. Anchored by a new athletic director and driven head coaches in hockey, volleyball and men's basketball, this group brings decades of combined championship experience, a proven focus on academic and athletic excellence, and a deep passion for the green and gold. Meet the new leaders ready to elevate Seawolf Athletics on and off the court, ice and track:

Michael Bazemore
Director of Athletics

On July 19, Michael Bazemore joined UAA as the 10th director of Athletics since the university gained NCAA member status in 1977. In this capacity, he will oversee UAA's 13-team athletics program, which includes basketball, cross country, gymnastics, hockey, skiing, track and field and volleyball.

For the past five years, Bazemore has been the director of athletics at fellow Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) institution Montana State University Billings (MSUB), where he oversaw 14 NCAA Division II varsity sports. Prior to that, he was the assistant director of Academic and Membership Affairs at the NCAA in Indianapolis.

Bazemore has held multiple positions in college athletics throughout his career, including at Metropolitan State University, Truman State University and the University of Sioux Falls. Throughout his career, Bazemore has been an advocate for student-athlete well-being, while working to ensure the success of his programs as a whole.

Bazemore holds two bachelor's degrees from Michigan State University, where he was a defensive starter for the Spartans' football team and an Academic All-Big Ten performer. He also holds a Master of Science in sport, recreation and fitness management from MSUB.

"I am extremely excited to join the Seawolves family," Bazemore said. "I would like to thank Chancellor Siemers, the administration, coaches, student-athletes and supporters for this appointment. Throughout my journey within the GNAC, I have always had a respect for UAA and the level of competitive excellence displayed. I look forward to not only contributing to this standard, but helping to elevate it."

Eric Rud
Hockey head coach

Eric Rud was appointed as the eighth head hockey coach at UAA on April 27, bringing more than 25 years of collegiate, junior and international coaching experience to the program. Widely regarded as a strong program builder, Rud boasts deep leadership roots in the NCHC, USHL and USA Hockey pathways.

His extensive coaching background includes recent assistant roles at St. Cloud State, serving as associate head coach at Miami (Ohio) and leading the St. Cloud State women's program for five seasons. In junior hockey, he served as head coach for both the Sioux Falls Stampede and Green Bay Gamblers. Internationally, he guided the 2022 U.S. World Junior Challenge team to a gold medal.

A former two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and captain at Colorado College, Rud played professionally before transitioning to coaching. Throughout his career, he has developed top-tier talent, including Hobey Baker Award winner Drew LeBlanc and numerous NHL players. Equally committed to academic success, Rud has mentored over 60 all-academic honorees and more than 20 scholar-athletes with GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

"Seawolf hockey has always been identified by grit and hard work," said Rud. "Our goal is to build a team that reflects that identity every day - tough, disciplined and competitive - while developing student-athletes the right way. I'm excited to get to work with the staff and players to honor the history of UAA hockey and build a culture that respects the past, embraces the work and positions the hockey program for a strong and sustainable future."

Morgan Hooe
Volleyball head coach

Former All-American setter and lifelong Anchorageite Morgan Hooe has been named the eighth head coach in UAA volleyball history.

Hooe served as UAA's top assistant for the past three seasons - and acting head coach since January - helping lead the program to a 55-35 record. In 2025, the Seawolves posted a standout 23-6 record, claimed a share of the GNAC title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Before returning to collegiate coaching, Hooe spent three years as head coach at Service High School, earning back-to-back Cook Inlet Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022.

Across nine total seasons at UAA as a standout player, volunteer assistant and primary assistant, Hooe has contributed to three GNAC championships and six NCAA Tournament berths. As a player, the 2016 GNAC Player of the Year capped her career by leading the Seawolves to the NCAA Division II national championship match.

Hooe holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from UAA and a master's in sports administration from Arkansas State University.

"I'm incredibly humbled and honored to take over as head coach at [UAA]," Hooe said. "Growing up in Anchorage, rooting for the Seawolves as a kid and then having the chance to play four seasons here, I can truly say that this is a dream come true. I want to thank the search committee [...] for believing in me and providing the opportunity to prove myself as a head coach. I'm extremely excited to continue the strong volleyball tradition at UAA established by my predecessors."

Cameron Turner
Men's basketball head coach

Former assistant Cameron Turner returns to lead the UAA men's basketball program as its seventh head coach.

Turner spent six seasons at UAA (2011-17) under Rusty Osborne, helping the Seawolves to a 116-60 record, six top-four GNAC finishes and recruiting key talent like National Player of the Year Taylor Rohde and star Suki Wiggs.

He returns north after a transformative tenure at Eastern Arizona College (EAC). As EAC's men's head coach for the past four years, Turner compiled a 95-32 record, securing consecutive ACCAC and NJCAA Region I titles (2024, 2025) and earning back-to-back Coach of the Year honors. His 2024-25 squad posted a historic 29-4 record and ranked third nationally in net efficiency. Prior to leading the men, Turner built EAC's women's program into a national contender, taking them from five wins to a 2021 regional title and national tournament appearance.

An emphasis on academic excellence defines Turner's program. His final EAC team posted a 3.53 GPA, capping four straight years above 3.30 with a 100% sophomore graduation and scholarship placement rate.

Originally from Oregon, Turner holds a degree in criminology from Southern Oregon University.

"My family and I are thrilled to return to Alaska and [UAA], a place that holds deep meaning for us," Turner said. "I am honored to take over the program from Coach (Rusty) Osborne, who has been a mentor and a friend throughout my career. Becoming the head men's basketball coach at UAA is a dream realized. I'm grateful to Eastern Arizona College for the opportunity to lead and grow as a head coach, which has prepared me for this moment. UAA has a proud and storied tradition, and I'm excited to build on that legacy."