Trinity International University assistant women’s basketball coach Melaine Duplessis has announced she will depart from the program at the end of this week.
Duplessis, who finished her third season on the Trojan coaching staff, is set to become the principal and a teacher for the S.T.U.D.Y.S. (Spending Time Usefully Developing Yourself Spiritually) Ministry Christian Academy, a new primary school for students kindergarten through eighth grade in Lindenhurst, Illinois.
“I knew this was where God was calling me to be to help these young women,” Duplessis said in reflecting on her time at TIU. “My main mission here was not basketball. It was the lives of these young women, and how can I help them be the best that they can be spiritually, mentally and physically. I’ve always wanted to come back and help pour into the lives of young women, and to have been able to do that for the past three years has been an experience like no other.”
It’s definitely tough,” head women’s basketball coach Irvin Jerry said. “She’s been a great mentor and a great example to our young ladies. She did a great job of connecting with and coaching our young ladies.”
Jerry also attributes Duplessis’ spiritual leadership to the Trojans’ success on the court.
“I think the biggest thing that helped our turn-around was changing our culture and what we are about as a program,” Jerry said. Coach Mel was a big part of shaping our four pillars of gratefulness, humility, perseverance and controllables. A major part of our success came from the spiritual stability that she brought to the team.”
In her three seasons coaching on the Trinity bench, Duplessis helped coach a Trojan program that won 31 games. During the 2019-2020 campaign, TIU finished with an 18-13 mark, their first double-digit win season and first CCAC Tournament appearance since 2012-2013. Trinity also punched their ticket to the 2020 NCCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament during the previous season, their first national tournament appearance since her senior season in 2011.
Prior to being named assistant coach ahead of the 2017-2018 season, Duplessis was a member of the Lady Trojan program from 2008 to 2011 after transferring to TIU from NCAA Division III Cornell College in Iowa. In 98 games for Trinity, Melaine helped lead the Trojans to two CCAC Tournament appearances, including the 2009 championship game, plus a berth to the 2009 NCCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The program’s all-time leader in points (1,789), points per game (18.3) and field goals made and attempted, Duplessis also earned All-CCAC First Team honors all three years at Trinity and was the 2010-2011 CCAC Player of the Year.
