The State University of New York at New Paltz women’s basketball coaching staff added Jessica Paden as a new assistant coach for the upcoming 2019-2020 season. Paden is excited to use her experience as a player and a coach to help the Hawks continue their success into next season.
After earning her Associate of Arts Degree in 2011 from Duchess Community College, Paden went to Mount Saint Mary College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Special Education. She then went on to further her studies, receiving her Bachelor’s in Education from Empire State College in 2016 and during her last few years at Empire State, Paden pursued her personal trainers license, and became certified as a National Council on Strength and Fitness personal trainer.
Paden is no stranger to the coaching world. Prior to her start at SUNY New Paltz, Paden coached at Hyde Park Central School District where started as the junior varsity girls basketball coach in 2014 and continued as the head coach for four years before taking over the varsity program for Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in 2018. During her only season as head coach, the team had arguably the best season in program history, winning the the program’s first Mid-Hudson Athletic League Championship, earning the Section 9 title for the first time in 32 years, and finishing as regional finalists. Paden was also recognized as the Poughkeepsie Journal and Kingston Daily Freeman Coach of the Year. She is now eager to apply what she learned from her coaching experience to the collegiate level.
“My knowledge, enthusiasm, and experience with the game and in education will allow me to add a different perspective to the team and program.” said Paden.
After winning its fourth conference title and making an appearance in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the second time, SUNY New Paltz is looking to bring in a coach who creates a competitive atmosphere and who has a thirst to win. Hawks coach Jamie Seward is excited to welcome Paden to the coaching staff, believing she will bring an enthusiastic attitude and an aggressive mindset. He is impressed with her apparent love for the game and her desire to learn more.
“Her values align perfectly with our program’s values in that she is passionate about the game, loves to compete, and she wants to be a part of something bigger than herself,” said Seward. “Furthermore, she believes in aggressive defense and individual player development, and those are the pillars of our program from a basketball standpoint.”
Paden is ready to get to work with the Hawks and prepare for the season. She is looking forward to contributing her ideas and perspective to the coaching staff, while also being able to grow as a coach.
“I know that working alongside Jamie, Darren [Jackson], and Lindsay [Bettke] will be an extraordinary opportunity for myself as well as the team,” said Paden. “I’m looking forward to putting all of our keen basketball minds together so that we can create the best possible learning environment for our student athletes.”
SUNY New Paltz will begin practicing in mid-October, preparing for their season opener on Nov. 9 at The Rochester Institute of Technology.
