Kari Gibb/MDN Minot North senior Ashlee Williamson, surrounded by her family, signed her National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play for Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin this fall.

Another page in history for the Minot North High School took place as the first ever girls basketball National Letter of Intent (NLI) was penned by senior Ashlee Williamson, on her birthday no less.

Williamson will be playing for Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, starting this fall.

“I really liked the coaches, the players and the facilities on my first visit,” said Williamson. “I wasn’t so fond of the city on that visit. Subsequently, on the next trip, it grew on me.”

The senior guard had two or three places she wanted to visit, but was hooked on the Hawks out the gate.

“Once I made the trips and felt the vibe, it was a done deal,” said Williamson. “I knew it was where I was going to go.”

The coach found Williams while coaching traveling teams in Europe last summer. At a tournament in Austria, the Hawks head coach- Lionel Jones- coached his team to a win over the team Williamson was on and came away with more than the ‘W’ from the encounter.

“The staff began recruiting at the event in Europe and were constant and consistent in their approach,” said Williamson. “It was a pleasant experience from start to finish for me.”

The future Hawk will study to become a licensed counselor or therapist with her undergraduate work at Viterbo University.

“I am looking forward to the educational environment,” said Williamson. “I am not sure about the graduate work, but this is a super starting point. I can’t wait.”

Despite the decision being made and the path planned, the senior at Minot North understands that there is plenty to do yet in preparation.

“I have to continue to work hard and keep improving and doing well both on and off the court,” said Williamson. “There is plenty of work to do on a day-to-day schedule before the move to Wisconsin takes place.”