BGSU women’s basketball head coach Fred Chmiel has announced the hiring of former Falcon Kadie Hempfling as an assistant coach. 

Hempfling spent five seasons with the Falcons from 2018 to 2023, becoming the program’s all-time leader in games played with 155. She helped lead the Orange and Brown to a Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship in 2020-21, and is the only player in program history to have at least 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, and 400 assists.

“Kadie is a great addition to our staff for a multitude of reasons,” said Chmiel. “She is an alum with great passion and energy for the community and the University. We are thrilled to welcome her back to BGSU.”

More recently, Hempfling started her coaching career at Ohio Northern University. During the 2024-25 season, she helped the Polar Bears to a 19-8 record and 14-4 overall in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). 

“To be asked to come back to the university where I poured my heart into everything I did on and off the court is an honor beyond words,” said Hempfling. “This place and this community shaped me as a player and a person. I have so much gratitude for Coach Chmiel and the opportunity to come back and help shape the next generation as a coach at a place I deeply love.”

Hempfling’s last season with Bowling Green was during the team’s Fab Four in the WNIT, a year in which she played 32 games off the bench. She was named to the All-MAC Third Team in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Bowling Green opens up the season on Monday, Nov. 3 at Louisiana at CAJUNDOME & Convention Center.