General | 10/20/2022 4:31:01 PM
Allison Coleman enters her ninth season at Russell Sage College as head coach of the women's basketball program in 2022-23. In addition, Coleman serves as Russell Sage's Senior Woman Administrator, Assistant Athletic Director and International Student Success Advisor. As head coach, Coleman has enjoyed a 119-74 record (.616 winning percentage), while her teams have collected post-season appearances five times. Coleman’s teams also captured a Skyline Conference regular-season championship, a Skyline Conference Tournament Championship, an Empire 8 runner-up title, and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
A native of Jewett City, Connecticut, Coleman played collegiately at Eastern Connecticut State University and was named the State Farm/WBCA National Player of the Year in 2003-04 and remains the only four-time All-America in women's basketball collegiate history. Coleman scored 1,991 career points and added 1,134 rebounds in her illustrious collegiate career, while leading her team to a remarkable 101-17 record in four seasons with three NCAA Tournament appearances. As a junior in 2002-03, Coleman led the Warriors to the NCAA Division III national title game and a second-place finish.
Coleman was a 2010 inductee into the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, a 2012 inductee into the inaugural Little East Conference Hall of Fame and a member of the LEC's 25th Anniversary All-Star Team, and an October 19, 2013 inductee into the E-Club Hall of Fame. Over the summer of 2015, Coleman enjoyed an induction into the New England College Basketball Hall of Fame for her accomplishments.
Allison Coleman - Empire 8 Pioneer
Year at Current Institution/Total in College Athletics: Ninth year at Russell Sage College/13th overall
College Attended/Class Year: Eastern Connecticut State University ’04
Playing Career:
Four-year member of the women's basketball team at Eastern Connecticut State University (2000-2004)
Favorite Professional Athletes:
Reggie Miller and Ticha Penicheiro
Favorite Movie: Top Gun
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Cobra Kai
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Away From College Athletics? Playing golf and traveling as much as possible. I love going on cruises!
Dream Vacation Spot: Ireland is next on my bucket list!
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time as a Player in College (if applicable): In 2003, my team at Eastern Connecticut State University made a run in the NCAA tournament and into the Final Four and eventually the National Championship Game.
Favorite Athletic Memory as a Coach/Administrator? Being able to bring my 2017 team to the NCAA tournament was a great experience for the team and something I hope all athletes get to experience even just once in their careers.
Who Was Your Greatest Mentor(s) and Why: Denise Bierly, my college coach at Eastern Connecticut State University. Coach always challenged me in everything I did as a student athlete and pushed me to be the player I became. Later, she gave me an opportunity to go back to school, finish my degree, and mentor me as her assistant coach. I would not be in the position I am without her support.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator: Definitely the relationships I get to build with not only my basketball player but all student-athletes I get to see grow each year.
What Have You Learned About Yourself as a Leader and In Your Role: The most valuable lesson I learned is that in order to be a leader you must also be willing to be led by others. I learn so much from my athletes each year that help me become a better and more effective leader for the next class.
Recent Community Service Projects Your Teams or Departments Have Worked On: We do a lot! We recently just donated school supplies to a local elementary school. We recently participated in our eighth straight Breast Cancer Walk. Other things we like to do include cooking at Ronald McDonald House and volunteering at the Humane Society.
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences? The Empire 8 leadership does a great job at offering resources that are not available to student-athletes in other conferences. he conference is competitive, compassionate to their membership and always forward-thinking with their strategies to ensure the athletes are getting opportunities that may not be available outside of the conference membership.
How Did Title IX Played a Role For You as a Student-Athlete? If it weren’t for Title IX, I likely would not be sitting in the position I am today. I was able to have, what I consider, the best collegiate athletics experience possible because my Coach, who also benefited from Title IX, was put into a position to recruit, develop and mentor myself and my teammates.
How Has Title IX Impacted You After Your Collegiate Career? As a lost kid, not knowing what I wanted to do after my college playing career was over, I was drawn back to what I always loved - basketball. Title IX paved the way for me to go back to school, learn from my mentor, and offer me the opportunity to coach this game and mentor student-athletes in my administrative position.
What Do You Think Is the Greatest Impact of Title IX/How Has it Changed Your Life? Opportunity. When you give people an opportunity you can be amazed with what they can accomplish and that is what Title IX is all about - the opportunity to do something that wasn’t always an option.
How Has Title IX Changed the Collegiate Sports World? It has been 50 years since Title IX was signed into law and we have seen amazing women accomplish even more amazing feats. Title IX has allowed EVERYONE to have equal opportunities not only in athletics, but more importantly through education. We have seen the growth in participation from female athletes in nearly every sport offered and with the right leadership, this will only continue to level the playing field.
What Can Be Done to Continue the Growth of Women’s Sports? Keep women’s athletics in the conversation every chance we get. Involve the younger generation of girls in a variety of sports while they are young so they are exposed to all of the wonderful elements that athletics can provide; self-confidence, teamwork, self esteem, problem solving, etc.
Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes (Youth/High School and Incoming Collegians): Pick a school that you feel you can be successful at not only during your collegiate career but after as well. You only get four years to do this; make the most out of every opportunity.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes: Give back to your younger classmates and to the program/institution you came from. We can’t do what we do each year without the support of our alumni.
The Empire 8 Pioneers series celebrates 50 years of Title IX and highlights the growth of women's sports, while featuring a standout women's coach of administrator from each of the league's 10 institutions.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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