St. Louis College of Pharmacy announces the appointment of Stephen Allen as head coach of the women’s basketball program for 2017-18.
Allen comes to STLCOP from the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, where he spent four years as the head men’s basketball coach and two years as assistant women’s basketball coach for the Pitt-Titusville Panthers. While there, he helped usher the athletics program into the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference and coached three all-conference players.
Prior to Titusville, Allen coached the men’s junior varsity basketball team at Medaille College, an NCAA Division III program that made the NCAA tournament during each of his three years there. In addition, he founded and directed Rust Belt Basketball AAU in 2012, and has enjoyed coaching experiences at two different high schools for both boys and girls basketball.
Allen is looking forward to working with the current and incoming women’s basketball student-athletes at STLCOP to help them succeed on the basketball court, and also in the classroom and into their careers.
“I hope to develop young ladies that have a work ethic that will help them be successful not only on the basketball court, but in every facet of their lives,” Allen said. “Whether it’s work, school, relationships, community involvement, or anything they choose to do with their lives. I want to help them become the hardest working, best version of themselves every day. If they can do that, they can be successful in anything.”
Beyond helping to develop individual success stories, Allen has goals for the women’s basketball program itself.
“I hope to accomplish special things here,” he said. “I hope to put some banners in the rafters of the new arena. I hope to develop a reputation for STLCOP athletics, and especially the women’s basketball program. I want us to be the best representatives and ambassadors that STLCOP has, and be very difficult to beat, in the process.
“I am looking forward to competing in a fantastic conference in the AMC, with some of the best teams in the NAIA. I look forward to being a part of the Champions of Character and the NAIA. I look forward to living in a terrific city with a great reputation.”
STLCOP athletic director Jill Harter is excited to have Allen join the STLCOP athletic program.
“Coach Allen will bring incredible enthusiasm to our women’s basketball team, backed up by success at the college level,” she said. “We’re thrilled to have him on board, and look forward to the future of the Lady Eutectics with Allen at the helm.”
Allen’s enthusiasm is palpable, in spite of the challenges that come with coaching at STLCOP.
“This position is different because the recruiting is so directed,” said Allen. “At STLCOP I am recruiting young women that want to go to school for seven years to be a pharmacist, or to get a bachelor’s in Health Sciences and then possibly continue school in a master’s program in a health field. I have been working in a position where the majority of students are undeclared. This will require a much wider net to be cast in recruiting. I don’t look at any challenges as more, or less, difficult than another – just different.”
“But, sit back, relax, and watch this take off. STLCOP is in for exciting things, and I’m so excited to be a part of it. Is it October yet?”
