🏀 Welcome to Malvern Coach Sarbaugh! Go Hornets! #MalvernPride
During a special Board of Education Meeting Friday morning, Natalie Sarbaugh was selected as the next Head Girls' Basketball Coach for Malvern High School. Natalie comes to Malvern from Northwest High School, serving as the Assistant Girls' Basketball Coach for the past four seasons. During the most recent ‘22-23 season, under the direction of Head Coach Kevin Lower, Coach Sarbaugh helped lead the Northwest Indians to the OHSAA Division II State Championships, earning state runner-up honors and finishing with a record of 27-3. At Northwest, Coach Sarbaugh also served as the Head Middle School Track Coach and Head Middle School Volleyball Coach. Before Northwest, she served for one season as the Assistant Girls' Basketball Coach at Fairless High School and previously coached Middle School Girls' Basketball at North Canton Hoover for three seasons.
Natalie was a three-sport student-athlete at North Canton Hoover, where she played Basketball for Coach Paul Wackerly and graduated in 2011. She played college basketball for two seasons at Marietta College and graduated with honors and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Kent State University.
Northwest Head Coach Kevin Lower said, “Natalie has been a huge asset in the rise of the success of our Northwest Program the past four years. I can’t tell you how much we will miss her presence here, but this is a great opportunity, and we are happy for her.”
“Malvern is fortunate to get such a loyal, dedicated, and hard-working coach and educator joining their school district,” stated Lower.
Malvern Athletic Director Dave Tucci shares that Coach Sarbaugh was selected based on her work ethic, passion for coaching, and ability to connect and build strong relationships with students and players.
“We are very excited for our girls,” Tucci stated. “Natalie is going to be a great fit at Malvern High School. Our girls are going to really enjoy playing for her. Coach Sarbaugh will be a great role model and will share her passion for the game with our girls. She comes from a strong family of coaches and educators and has been mentored by outstanding coaches.”
Coaching runs in the family for the Sarbaughs. Natalie’s father, Jeff, is a long-time educator and Coach, serving most of his career in the Fairless and North Canton Districts. Her brother AJ is currently a very successful Head Football Coach for Fairless, while her sister Adrienne is the Head Softball Coach for East Canton. In all, she has three brothers and one sister who all serve as coaches.
Coach Natalie Sarbaugh stated, “I am very grateful for this opportunity and excited to get to know the players. Malvern has a strong reputation as a basketball community and a great school district to be part of.”
Coach Sarbaugh will also serve as an intervention Specialist at Malvern Middle School and High School this upcoming school year.