Alisa Kresge, who has led Vermont to the NCAA Tournament three times in the last four seasons, will be the new head coach of Spider women’s basketball, Richmond Athletics announced Saturday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alisa to the University of Richmond. She is an exceptional and experienced coach with an outstanding record of success,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt. “Alisa has won multiple championships and reached the NCAA Tournament while maintaining a strong focus on the academic and personal development of her student-athletes. With Alisa leading the way, Richmond is well-positioned to remain one of women’s basketball’s premier programs.”
In eight seasons at Vermont, Kresge (pronounced kres-gee) compiled a 145-89 (.620) overall record while capturing three conference tournament championships, two regular season championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and two America East Coach of the Year honors. She led the Catamounts to at least 20 wins in each of the last five seasons, the longest streak of 20-win seasons in school history.
“I am excited and deeply honored to lead the Spider women’s basketball program. I want to sincerely thank President Kevin Hallock, Athletics Director John Hardt, and the entire Richmond administration for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity,” said Kresge. “I am committed to upholding the standard that has been set before me — to developing young women who are not only elite competitors, but exceptional leaders, scholars, and people of character. Together, we will build on this legacy and chase championships with integrity, with purpose, and with relentless dedication.”
Kresge brings 15 seasons of college coaching experience to Richmond. She joined Vermont in 2018-19 as the program’s interim head coach and was elevated to a permanent role in April 2019. Following the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Kresge and the Catamounts went 20-11 in 2021-22, the school’s first 20-win season since 2009-10.
Vermont broke through in 2022-23, finishing 25-7 and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament trip since 2010. The Catamounts won the America East regular season and conference tournament titles as Kresge collected her first America East Coach of the Year award as well as the ECAC Coach of the Year honor.
The 2023-24 Catamounts went 25-12 and reached the Fab 4 of the WNIT, setting the stage for Vermont to return to the NCAA Tournament the following season after defeating UAlbany to win the America East Championship.
In 2025-26, Kresge and Vermont repeated as America East Tournament champions and earned a second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament while also capturing the conference’s regular season title. The team finished 27-8, matching the third-most wins in program history, and Kresge won her second America East Coach of the Year award.
Kresge began her college coaching career at Marist, her alma mater. During her seven seasons as an assistant coach, she helped the Red Foxes win five straight MAAC Tournament championships and reach five straight NCAA Tournaments, with the team advancing to the Second Round in both 2011 and 2012.
As a player, Kresge was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year three times (2005-07) while recording 596 assists, still the most in Marist program history. She led Marist to three NCAA Tournament appearances and a berth in the 2007 Sweet 16, the first Sweet 16 appearance ever for a MAAC program.
Details of an event to officially welcome Coach Kresge to Richmond will be announced at a later date.
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