Jessica Wallace, a former captain and graduate assistant coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, joined Simon Fraser University as an assistant coach with the women's basketball program on Thursday.
Wallace, a native of Vanderhoof, B.C., completed her collegiate playing career (2011-2014) and one season as a graduate assistant coach (2014-15) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which competes in NCAA Division II.
She was a guard and captained the Crimson Hawks in her final season. During her three seasons at IUP, the Crimson Hawks had an overall record of 62-24 with three conference tournament berths and two appearances in the NCAA Atlantic region semifinals.
“Jessica was a northern, small-town player, who went well out of her comfort zone to build her basketball experience,” said SFU head coach Bruce Langford. “She comes from a program that has had good success and it is great to add fresh eyes to what we are doing. She has done all she can to prepare herself as an assistant coach.”
Wallace originally attended UNBC in Prince George after graduating from Nechako Valley Secondary School. Knee injuries limited her to just one season (2008-09) at UNBC, before re-starting her career with IUP in 2011.
Last year, with Wallace as an assistant coach, the Crimson Hawks posted a 25-4 record, won the regular season PSAC West title and made a first-round appearance in the NCAA tournament.
“Jessica has already contributed some creative and positive initiatives and her enthusiasm for summer camps is contagious,” continued Langford. “I am going through changes to our offense and defense for next year, and she is providing good input.”
In 2008, Wallace coached the under-14 northern regional team for Basketball B.C. and she was involved with the Regional Training Centre in Prince George. Wallace has also coached with the 3D Basketball Academy in North Vancouver.
Wallace graduated with a bachelor’s degree of science in athletic training and a minor in sports administration with a 3.9 GPA from IUP. She is a certified athletic trainer in the United States.
