In 2013 the Webster University women’s basketball team will have a different look. Not only will they have some new players, but also a new member of the coaching staff.
Kate Affourtit, former head coach and player for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Ill.), will take over for previous assistant coach Jordan Plummer. Plummer was part of the coaching staff for the past two seasons and will now become an assistant coach at SIUE.
Affourtit said it feels “remarkable” to join the Webster coaching family for women’s basketball.
“Coach (Jordan Olufson, head coach Webster women’s basketball) and I have a lot of the same principles and values when it comes to coaching, which made the interview successful,” Affourtit said. “I was very enthusiastic for the opportunity to become a collegiate coach. It has been my dream job and accomplishing it has been marvelous.”
Affourtit was a member of SIUE women’s basketball squad for three years from 2008-11. She had her best season in 2008-09 when defensively she had 47 rebounds, and offensively during the season scored 115 points. Additionally, in 2008 she had a career-high 14 points.
Once Affourtit assumed the head coach role of SIUE women’s basketball club team for the 2012-13 season, she led the team to their second straight Recreational Sports Association National Championship.
“My team was an astounding group of girls, and we had a lot of team chemistry,” Affourtit said. “Once I started playing for the SIUE club team, basketball became fun again. Then winning the National Championship after all of our hard work was by far one of the best feelings I have ever had.”
Affourtit said this year she looks forward to coaching the great seniors and talented incoming freshman who create the Webster women’s basketball team.
Olufson said the assistant coaching change is something his players have been used to going through in the past.
“Our (players) have been through this process, so it’s not like an ‘oh wow’ (and) just a big shock,” Olufson said. “It’s a transition, we go through it, we don’t make a big deal of it but we feel very good about (Affourtit) helping us and we’re excited about the year.”
From a coaching standpoint, Affourtit will get to have her hand in the cookie jar as the assistant coach. She will be involved with recruiting, scouting, working summer camps and other duties.
Affourtit said it was difficult to leave SIUE as a head coach, but she is excited to get to work with her new basketball program.
“I am very eager to be a part of the Webster program,” Afourtit said. “And (to) work with (Olufson) to get the women’s basketball team back to the NCAA National Tournament.”
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