Nicole Pluger was named Urbana University's Associate Athletic Director of Compliance in February of 2010.  The goal of the Urbana University Athletics Compliance office is to provide education and support for Blue Knight student-athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters in order for each group to be armed to make the correct decisions and comply within the rules.

Prior to her promotion, Pluger spent six seasons in charge of the Urbana University softball team, leading the Blue Knights to 106 wins over that span.  In 2007, Pluger helped her squad capture the program's first conference championship, earning AMC and Region IX Coach of the Year honors.  The following season, the team acquired its first national ranking. 

Pluger ended her coaching career as the winningest head coach in UU softball history.  She posted a pair of 20+ win seasons, including a 21-win season during the program's first against NCAA Division II competition in 2009.  In four of her six seasons, the team improved its overall record, and in 2007 and 2008, Urbana made back-to-back appearances in the Region IX tournament under Pluger. 

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pluger played her college ball at the University of Toledo.  There, she was a four-year letterwinner and an All-MAC shortstop for the Rockets.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Recreation in 1997.

Pluger remained at Toledo for the next three years, serving as an assistant coach and interim head coach.  From there, she moved on to Wright State University where she served as an assistant coach under Sheila Nahrgang until coming to Urbana in 2004.

At Wright State, Pluger helped the Raiders get it done on the field as well as in the classroom. The team won 169 games during her stint, including a program-record 36 victories in 2000.  Pluger mentored 11 all-conference student-athletes, and as the squad's academic advisor, she propelled the team to the 13th best GPA in the nation in Division I in 2002. 

Nikki is the daughter of Gerald and Patricia Pluger.  She currently resides in Dayton, Ohio.