Women’s Golf Announces Heather Fortushniak as New Head Coach – Oakland University Athletics

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Women’s Golf continues to build momentum after a Horizon League Championship Title in 2023-24 as they hire Heather Fortushinak as their new head coach.

“I am very happy that Heather will be leading the women’s golf program. Having competed at the Division I level, her playing experiences have shaped her coaching philosophy and her commitment to student-athlete development on and off the course,” said Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield. “I look forward to watching her build on the Golden Grizzlies women’s golf program’s successes over the past decade and lead the program to future championships.”

A native of Brighton, Mich., Fortushniak was a sensational golfer at Brighton High School, earning back-to-back All-State honors in 2016 and 2017. She earned a spot on the Kansas State Women’s Golf Team where she was a four-year varsity golfer, garnering Big 12 All-Academic honors in three consecutive seasons (2020-22) and a NCAA All-American Academic nod in 2021. She also spent two years on the Kansas State Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as treasurer, while also serving on the Student Athlete Engagement Committee. 

Fortushniak spent the previous two years (2022-24) as the Development Assistant for her alma mater, helping student-athletes and the entire Kansas State athletics department advance 

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“I couldn’t be more excited to add Heather to our Oakland Golf Family. Heather has great pedigree and has competed at the highest level,” said Oakland Men’s Golf Head Coach Nick Pumford. “I have no doubt that she will transition seamlessly into coaching and continue to build on the success our women’s program has had.”

With years of leadership experience under her belt, coupled with recent student-athlete experience, Fortushniak will certainly help build upon a historic women’s golf program at Oakland.