Women’s Basketball Coach Steps Down

Sep 4, 2007

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The winningest women’s basketball coach in Allegheny College history, Jennifer Reimer, has stepped down from her position on Friday, August 31, to take a similar position at Case Western Reserve University.

“It is an exciting time for me,” said Reimer. “It was probably the toughest decision that I have ever made because of my great love for Allegheny – the student athletes especially – but anyone who was a part of the basketball program and all of the great people at Allegheny. I am looking to challenge myself and am excited to take the next step in my career.”

“While this is a loss for the College and its students, it is a good move for Jennifer and she has my respect and support,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Betsy Mitchell. “Assistant coach Kate Costanzo will take the helm with my confidence while we prepare for a national search for the next head coach.”

Reimer leaves Allegheny with a career 120-68 record, a winning percentage of 63.8. She became the school’s all-time win leader on January 5 with a 55-44 victory over Earlham College and has helped lead the Gators to six North Coast Athletic Conference semi-finals in her seven years, and to the title game in 2006-07.

“Jennifer has tendered many years of positive, student-centered, self-less service to the College, this department and the basketball program” noted Mitchell. “She has earned our appreciation.”

She leaves a team that went 19-8 a season ago and returns eight letterwinners including starters Stephanie Wolf (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) and Hilary Collins (Franklin, Pa./Franklin). Last year Wolf averaged 10.1 points per game while leading the team in rebounds (6.4 per game), assists (94) and steals (57) while finishing second on the squad in blocked shots with 20. Collins, the team’s point guard, pulled down 94 rebounds last year while dishing out 63 assists, third highest on the team, and pilfering 20 steals.

Last season the Case Western Reserve Spartans were 9-16, including an 0-12 mark in the challenging University Athletic Association (UAA), a league that saw two of its teams reach the NCAA Division III Final Four and four total teams in the NCAA Tournament.

“Case Western Reserve is certainly a great academic institution,” noted Reimer. “It is nationally recognized and the pieces are in place for the women’s basketball program to be successful. I am excited about being a part of that.”

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