Rita Horky, NIU women’s basketball coach from 1981-83, died of natural causes Tuesday at her parents’ home in Blissfield, Mich. She was 50 years old.

Horky compiled a 31-28 record in her two seasons coaching at NIU, including a tie for second in the Mid-American Conference during the 1981-82 campaign with a 18-14 record, 7-4 in the MAC. Her 1982-83 squad only finished with a 13-14 mark but was 3-1 against Big 10 opponents.

As a player, Horky earned All-World recognition at the Peru Pan-American Games in 1964. She also is in the Amateur Athletic Union Hall of Fame.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at St. Peters Church in Blissfield. The family wishes all contributions be sent to the Rita Horky Scholarship Fund, which will be used for women’s basketball at Iowa Wesleyan, Horky’s alma mater. Contributions should be sent to Jerry Horky, 304 Giles, Blissfield, Mich., 49228.

NIU completed a national search and named Jim Braun as assistant athletic director/fund-raising and executive director of the Huskie Club.

The 43-year-old Braun has done fund-raising at Washington State from 1977-82, Arizona State from 1983-84 and Massachusetts from 1985-86, plus Portland State from 1983-85 on a consultant basis.

The NIU lacrosse club finished third out of nine teams at the Western Illinois Lacrosse Invitational last weekend. The club’s next home meet is April 26 at 1 p.m. against U of I.