From University of Rochester Athletics
Rochester women's basketball assistant coach Allison Spaschak was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 list, recognizing 30 rising women's basketball coaches.
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches aged 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
"Congratulations to these 30 coaches who have distinguished themselves so early in their careers," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The WBCA is pleased to recognize this up-and-coming talent in our coaching family. We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes."
Spaschak just wrapped up her first season on the River Campus, having helped the 'Jackets to a 16-9 (6-8 UAA) record, four-ranked victories and both UR Chuck Resler and Mark's Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout Tournament Championships, helping coach a trio of All-UAA honorees, including WBCA First-Team All-American and the D3Hoops.com Region 3 Player of the Year, Katie Titus.
"Coach Spaschak is an ideal candidate for the WBCA Thirty Under 30," Head Coach Jim Schieble said. "She is a strong advocate for women, women in coaching, and also is dedicated to making herself the best coach possible in order to help mentor and develop female basketball players. I don't think you will find someone more earnest in their personal pursuit of becoming a coach of excellence."
During her short time at Rochester so far, the Manahawkin, NJ native has helped mentor both fellow assistant coaches and student-athletes who've expressed interest in getting into college coaching, sitting down with those individuals and going over film, helping them to develop resumes, and counseling them on what is involved in being a comprehensive coach.
"Besides being one of the top assistants that I have had in my 31 years of coaching, she is also constantly striving to be better and present herself in a manner that makes our program proud," Schieble said. She is incredibly reliable, has a real passion for being a coach, and is constantly looking for ways to promote women and women's basketball. Her attitude is always positive but she also knows it is her job to hold our players accountable. She takes her job very seriously and continues to aspire to learn more and make herself better at every opportunity."
Spaschack joined the Rochester women's basketball program in 2022, following two seasons as an assistant at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA., where she helped the Yellow Jackets to an Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship in 2021-22 and coached three Jackets to All-ODAC honors.
Prior to joining the Yellow Jackets, Spaschak began her coaching career at SUNY Brockport in Brockport, NY, helping the Golden Eagles to a pair of SUNYAC Tournament appearances.
A 2018 graduate of Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, Spaschak was a four-year member of the Bombers' women's basketball program, helping the Bombers to three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015, 2017 and 2018, as well as an Empire 8 Conference Championship in 2017.
Spaschak earned her bachelor's degree in sports media with a double minor in sports psychology & coaching from Ithaca College in May 2018, and her master's degree in athletic administration from SUNY Brockport in July 2020.
Off the court, Spaschak has been very active in the Rochester community, organizing game and practice visits from various youth and high school teams and running team activities focusing on leadership, self-discovery, team culture, goal-setting, and mental health.
During her time at Randolph Macon, Spaschak helped execute a "Green Bandana Project" game, helping raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. While at Brockport, Spaschak planned both a "Play for Kay" and a "We Back Pat" game, raising awareness for Breast Cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
An active member of the WBCA, Spaschak is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist, certified by the Red Cross, is a member of WeCOACH and has attended every WBCA convention since she got into coaching.
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.