Gators Name Kate Costanzo Interim Coach

Oct 10, 2007

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Allegheny College Director of Athletics and Recreation Betsy Mitchell has named assistant basketball coach Kate Costanzo as the Interim Head Basketball Coach. Costanzo replaces Jennifer Reimer, who resigned in September to take the head coaching position at Case Western Reserve.

“It is an amazing opportunity to coach basketball at such a great academic institution,” said Costanzo. “Allegheny has a great women's basketball program and I look forward to continuing that success. I am up for the challenges that this season will bring as I work toward achieving my goal of becoming a successful collegiate coach. I appreciate the confidence that the college has in my abilities to lead this team into the future. I have great respect for the Allegheny College community, the former coach Jennifer Reimer, the program, and the team. I am committed to maintaining this quality basketball program and producing graduates who will become positive contributors to society.”

“Kate is a good fit for Allegheny because of her passion for the game – the balanced perspective between positive student development and her drive for success on the court,” said Mitchell. “She has not only the desire to create a positive team experience but the character and skills to do that.”

Costanzo is a 2002 graduate of Penn State Behrend, where she was a two-year all-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference selection for the Lady Lions, helping the squad to a 2001 berth into the NCAA Tournament, the second in school history. She is currently fourth on the Behrend all-time scoring list (1,055 points), having averaged 10 points per game for her career. Upon graduation from Behrend, she received a Master of Arts degree in student affairs and higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2005.

The hiring of Costanzo is, however, on an interim basis, but Mitchell has faith that the new coach has the skills to lead the team to a successful 2007-08 season. “Due to the timing of this transition we want to make sure that we are as deliberate and thoughtful as possible in the process of finding a permanent coach,” said Mitchell. “I have confidence that Kate will lead the women's team with great character and dedication to her players and the College.”

The team returns five letterwinners and two starters from a team that went 19-8 last season, falling in the championship game of the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament. Leading the returnees is junior Stephanie Wolf (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), who led the team in rebounding (6.4 rpg), assists (94), steals (57), finished second on the team in blocked shots (20) and third in scoring (10.1 points per game). Despite the five letterwinners returning, the 2007-08 roster has no seniors on the squad, giving Costanzo a chance to mold the team into a contender with her style of play. “We will continue to play an up tempo style of basketball,” said the new head coach. “Our focus will be on defense and intensity – with a balanced scoring attack. I have very high expectations for this team. We are a young squad with unlimited potential. Our goal is to be playing for the NCAC championship at the end of the season.”

“I have the same expectations of Kate that I have for every head and assistant coach on our staff,” noted the Director of Athletics. “To be a dynamic, student-centered educator who can develop students physically, intellectually and emotionally. On the court, I expect Kate to implement an intense physical training program that will prepare the team to be competitive in the NCAC. Likewise, the strategy and skill component will need to maximize the students’ talents and potential. Finally, any coach needs to be a great communicator in order achieve these goals.”

The Gators open their 2007-08 season at home at the National City Tip-Off Tournament, where they will face off against the Bluffton Beavers on November 16, before seeing either Grove City or Marietta in the second day of the event.

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