News Story
April 05, 2016
La Roche Women’s Basketball Coach Named AAE Coach of The Year
PITTSBURGH, April 5, 2016 – Kamela Gissendanner, head coach of La Roche University women’s basketball, has been named the Advocates for Athletic Equity (AAE) Div. III Coach of the Year.
Coach Gissendanner was honored at the AAE membership meeting on Sunday in Indianapolis, Ind., which is held in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four.
“It is such an honor and a humble moment in my young career,” Coach Gissendanner said. “The award says Coach of the Year, but I truly believe this is a staff and team award. Without great people surrounding me this would not be possible. I want to send a big thank you to the AAE for recognizing all of our hard efforts and all they do for our game.”
Monica Maxwell, the manager of events and membership with Advocates for Athletic Equity, was equally thrilled with the selection. “We were honored and excited to present Coach Gissendanner and La Roche University the award,” she said. “Her team had an outstanding year, capped by the winning of this award.”
The Advocates for Athletic Equity’s (originally Black Coaches Association) primary focus and mission is to advocate for and promote ethnic minority coaches. The organization’s board of directors selects a Coach of the Year at the Div. I, Div. II and Div. III levels, as well as a Newcomer of the Year.
Coach Gissendanner has been La Roche’s head coach since the 2012-13 season. Under Coach Gissendanner, La Roche has won four straight AMCC Conference Championships and played in four straight NCAA Tournaments. She has coached two AMCC Players of the Year, four AMCC Defensive Players of the Year, three All-Region performers and seven AMCC All-Conference performers. She also was the 2012-13 AMCC Coach of the Year.
For more information about the La Roche Athletics Department, visit larochesports.com.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctorate program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences, as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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