Allison Hostetter Named West Chester University Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University alum, Allison Hostetter was named West Chester University women's basketball assistant coach, becoming the full-time assistant for first-year head coach Kiera Wooden. Hostetter, a 2012 graduate of West Chester University, takes over Wooden's previous position that she held for the past decade under legendary former head coach Deirdre Kane. She returns to West Chester following two seasons as an assistant coach at Holy Family University. "This is a dream job for me, especially being granted the opportunity to return to my alma mater," Hostetter said. "Having the chance to coach alongside Coach Wooden is something special. She is someone, who I look up to. We are both very competitive and feed off of each other, creating a great chemistry." "Hoss" joins a West Chester squad that finished with an overall record of 19-9, including a 13-3 record in conference play, last season. This season, the Golden Rams were selected as the No. 1 seed in the PSAC Eastern Division preseason coaches' poll. "Hoss brings to the table a great understanding of our program here at West Chester University," Wooden added. "From her playing days to now, she is a gym rat that knows the ins and outs of how we do things on and off the court. Being so close in age, she can relate to the players either athletically or academically." One of her primary duties will be to manage the guards, while also instilling energy and encouragement for the Golden Rams. Her guard mindset is essential having played in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Understanding the competitive nature of the PSAC helps the younger guards develop, in addition to her knowledge of the conference when preparing for these matchups. Hostetter began her coaching career as an assistant at Holy Family. In her first season, she helped the Tigers to a 28-3 overall record and a run to the NCAA Division II East Region semifinals. "I couldn't have asked for a better first two years of coaching with Mark Miller at Holy Family University," Hostetter remarked. The opportunity was a learning experience for Hostetter as she gained valuable insight on how to approach the game, while also adding an additional perspective on how to game plan. Furthermore, she gained exposure to a new system other than the one she played in during her years with Deirdre Kane. One important aspect from her days at Holy Family is that she had the chance to coach an All-American in Erin Mann, which benefits the Golden Rams as honorable mention All-America, Dallas Ely, returns alongside other experienced players on the squad. During her four-year playing career (2008-12) for the Golden Rams, Hostetter appeared in 113 games and totaled 1,199 career points, grabbed 729 rebounds, dished out 360 assists and created 235 steals. Hostetter's contributions played a significant role in West Chester's NCAA tournament berth in 2012. For her performance on the court, she was recognized as a two-time All-PSAC selection, including first team all-league her senior year and second-team honors her junior season for the Golden Rams. Wooden referred to Hoss as one of the "hardest working guards" she has had the privilege of coaching. Hostetter became the 16th player in WCU history to eclipse 1,000 career points, while also finishing in the Top 10 in four different categories in the record book. She claimed fourth place on the school's all-time assist chart with 360, is fifth in steals (235), seventh in boards (729) and ninth overall in scoring (1,199). To this day, Hostetter remains the only guard in West Chester women's basketball history to lead the team in rebounding in a single season with 254 in 2010-11. Hostetter graduated from West Chester University with a bachelor's degree in Professional Liberal Studies in 2012. "There is an established relationship," Wooden noted. "She has a charismatic personality and a great relationship with the players and rest of the coaching staff." The slogan #GR4L, which stands for Golden Ram for Life, epitomizes the family atmosphere which this program provides and is something in which Hoss greatly believes. Coming back to the Golden Rams' family is something that she cherishes, especially because the University is close to her hometown of Oxford, Pa. "If it wasn't for my experience at West Chester University, and having played under Coach Kane and Coach Wooden, then I may never have wanted to pursue a coaching career," Hostetter stated. "I hope to give back to a program that has given so much to me as a player, individual, and a team." The goal is to provide student-athletes with the same experience she had at West Chester, while continuing the great program success that coaches Deirdre Kane and Kiera Wooden have built.