The addition of Katie Kolinski as an assistant coach for the Lafayette women’s basketball program completes head coach Kia Damon-Olson‘s coaching staff for the 2019-20 campaign.

Kolinski served as the women’s basketball Director of Basketball Operations at Buffalo for the 2018-19 season. That squad finished 24-10, won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. While with the Bulls, Kolinski was responsible for team travel, organized community service efforts and oversaw academic development.

“I am thrilled to have Katie join our staff. She has been a part of successful and high-level programs, and our point guards will certainly benefit from her tutelage,” Damon-Olson said. “Katie’s passion for skill development and mentoring student-athletes shined throughout the interview process.”

A native of Warners, New York, Kolinski completed her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Syracuse in 2016, where she served as the men’s basketball head manager from 2011-2016. During that time, the program achieved three NCAA second-round appearances, an Elite 8 berth and two Final Four appearances.

While working on her master’s degree in Instructional Design at her alma mater, Kolinski served as a graduate assistant coach from 2016-18, helping the team to an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2018. Kolinski assisted in team practices, while also aiding scouting and film breakdown on Jim Boeheim’s coaching staff.

Throughout her career, Kolinski has had the opportunity to work with multiple professional basketball players, including Brittney Sykes, the runner-up for WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2017, and Breanna Stewart, a four-time NCAA national champion, WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2016 and WNBA MVP in 2018.

https://www.goleopards.com/news/2019/7/10/kolinski-hired-as-womens-basketball-assistant-coach.aspx