Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
Head Coach Naomi Graves
When Naomi Graves arrived at Springfield College in 1991, the women’s basketball team had won nine games in the previous three seasons combined. Under the watchful eye of Graves, the program is now one of the best in New England. Entering her 21st season as head coach and assistant professor of physical education at Springfield College, and 27th season as a head coach overall, in 2011-12, Graves has directed her squads to an impressive 294-142 record (.674 winning percentage) since joining the Division III ranks in 1995. Graves has led the Pride to 11post-season bids in the past 16 years, including five berths in the NCAA Division III Tournament in the past 11 years. Graves’ squads have also won five New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championships in the past 11 years, and she has also been honored with three NEWMAC Coach of the Year Awards.
In May of 2008, Graves was one of 30 coaches selected from around the country to attend the 2008 NCAA Women Coaches Academy in Denver, Colo. The Academy provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. While at the Academy, Graves was honored as a co-recipient of the Judy Sweet Award, which was voted on by her peers. The award recognizes members of the Denver Academy Class who's spirit and willingness to share and live her story with integrity and perspective for her own and others personal and professional success has made an impact.
The 2004-2005 season ranks as one of Graves’ best seasons. The team started with a very respectable 8-4 record, but finished the season 17-2 in its last 19 games, winning both the regular-season and post-season NEWMAC titles. The season came to an end with a loss to Southern Maine in the NCAA Division III Elite 8. This was the Pride's most impressive run in NCAA tournament play in the school's history. On the season, the Pride tied the school record with 25 wins.
Graves received her bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Rhode Island in 1982. She was captain of the basketball team and scored 1,862 career points (second best in school history) while receiving URI Female Athlete of the Year honors as a senior. Graves was named to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) All-American team as a senior, and was an All-New England selection in each of her four years with the Rams. She was inducted into the URI Athletics Hall of Fame on October 20, 1995.
Graves served one year as an assistant basketball coach at URI before attending graduate school at Springfield College, where she earned her master’s degree in physical education in 1985. She also was a women’s graduate assistant coach for two seasons.
Graves served as president of the Women’s Basketball Association in 1986 and was a member of the ECAC Selection Committee for three years. Graves is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, and was the District 1 representative for the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year committee. She was and continues to be a member of the New England Women's Basketball Coaches Association (NEWBA).
A native of Williamsburg, Mass., Graves ranks among the state’s all-time basketball greats. As a senior at Hampshire Regional High School, she averaged 23 points and 17 rebounds and was named a high school All-American. Graves led her squad to four state championships and earned an unprecedented three MVP Awards at the Western Massachusetts State Tournament. Graves was the Western Massachusetts scoring leader with 2,137 career points until former Southwick High star (and UConn All-American) Rebecca Lobo broke her record.
On Nov. 26, 1999, the Springfield Union-News ranked Graves 36th on its list of the top 100 Western Massachusetts Athletes of the Century.
Assistant Coach Staci Andrews
Staci Andrews is in her third season at Springfield College as an assistant coach At Springfield College, she is pursuing a master’s degree in sport psychology while gaining valuable experience under Head Coach Naomi Graves. Staci earned her bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. in 1998. She was captain of their basketball team and contributed as a four-year starter. She was named to the All-Academic and All-Athletic West Coast Conference teams as a senior. Andrews then moved back to California where she taught sixth grade at Grover Heights Elementary School, and also coached the junior varsity as well as assisting the varsity team at her alma mater, Arroyo Grande High School. She also facilitated the athletic development of high school basketball players as the owner of Central Coast Baller Academy.
Assistant Coach Corey Finch
Corey Finch joins SC’s coaching staff as a second-year graduate assistant. She is pursuing a master’s degree in athletic administration. Corey received her bachelor’s degree from Springfield College in business management with minors in economics and athletic coaching in 2009. While at SC, she was a senior co-captain and earned the NEWMAC Player of the Year award. She was also three times NEWMAC All-Academic, NEWBA Second Team All-Region, an ECAC Division III New England Women’s Basketball First Team All-Star, and a D3 Hoops Women’s All-Northeast Region Second Team performer. Corey graduated magna cum laude and received the Abdow Award from the Springfield College Business Department. Before returning to Springfield College, Finch was Girls’ Basketball Varsity Assistant and Junior Varsity Head Coach at her alma mater, Hanover High School in Hanover, Pa. in 2009-2010.
Assistant Coach Mark McCaleb
Mark McCaleb brings a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge on all levels in the sport of basketball as he joins Naomi Graves for his first year. Mark is making a return home as he graduated from Springfield College with a master’s of education in athletic administration. McCaleb was the head women’s coach at the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Conn. for six years (from 2004 to 2010). While there, he led Bridgeport to two NCAA Tournaments and two Conference championships. At the same time, Mark also was the head coach of Bridgeport’s women’s cross country team. Last year, McCaleb went on to become an assistant women’s basketball coach on the Division I level at the University of Delaware. His team won 20 games and went on to play in the WNIT. Mark has also been the head women’s basketball coach at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Me. for one year (2003-04). He was previously an assistant women’s basketball coach at Northeastern (2001-03) and at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn. (1996-2001). He graduated from UMass with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
Assistant Coach Kelsey Lengyel-Jacovich
Kelsey Lengyel-Jacovich is entering her first year on the Springfield College women’s basketball staff. She will serve as the head coach of the junior varsity team. Lengyel-Jacovich is seeking her master’s of science in sport psychology at Springfield College. She earned her bachelor of science in sport management and a bachelor of arts in psychology from Post University in Waterbury, Conn,, where she made the dean’s list, and the Alpha Chi Honors Society. She graduated in May, 2011 Summa Cum Laude. From January, 2010 to July, 2011, she served as an assistant to the commissioner in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, helping in marketing and media relations. While at Post, she served as a sports information department assistant, especially in the sports of volleyball, basketball, and softball. Prior to Post, she attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she served as the women’s basketball team manager.
Team Links
- 2011-2012 Schedule
- 2011-2012 Roster
- 2011-2012 Statistics
- 2011-2012 JV Schedule
- Coaching Staff
- Alumni Questionnaire
- NEWMACsports.com
- D3hoops.com
- Team Archives
Head Coach Naomi Graves
Entering her 21st season as head coach in 2011-12, Naomi Graves has directed her squads to an impressive 294-142 record (.674 winning percentage) since joining the Division III ranks in 1995. Graves has led the Pride to eleven post-season bids in the past 16 years, including five berths in the NCAA Division III Tournament in the past 11 years.
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