A season ago, head coach of the Springfield College women’s basketball team, Naomi Graves, stepped away from the court and retired after 35 seasons with the Pride after their NEWMAC semifinal game on Feb. 27th. Now with the season just a mere two weeks away, a new face has arrived in the role, bringing a fresh start, a new scheme, and an immense opportunity.
Head coach Nicole Ambrose steps onto Alden Street eager for her first opportunity as a collegiate head coach, especially at a program as prestigious as the Birthplace.
“Now it’s a chance to represent the Birthplace of Basketball,” Ambrose said. “You’ve got the Hall of Fame less than ten minutes away.”
Ambrose comes in as a younger head coach, no doubt, but as a student of the game, she brings Division I-level experience. Ambrose served as an assistant coach and recruiter at Northeastern University for three years. She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration at the University of Louisville while also tacking on an MBA and then a Master’s degree of Arts in Teaching about five years later at the University of Cumberlands.
Teaching and learning has become a passion for Ambrose, and a real opportunity for her to connect with student-athletes. What makes Ambrose’s coaching style so unique is that she never played basketball at a high level. In fact, she never played organized basketball at any level.
“I played one year of organized basketball in 8th grade because I went to a kindergarten through 8th grade school because it was really small,” Ambrose said. “My perspective has always been different because I like to say I grew up on the sidelines, as a manager in high school and a manager in college. I got to learn what it takes to manage, build, and sustain a program.”
While coaching a sport that she barely played has had its fair share of challenges with confidence throughout her time as an assistant and manager, her energy and compassion for players have never wavered.
“I do rely a lot on the conversations and the relationships that I build with our players,” Ambrose mentioned. “Because I am not out on the court, I need to trust what they’re seeing, but vice versa, I need them to trust what I am seeing.”
While practices for the winter sport have only just begun and the eight-day training period in the preseason put on by the NCAA training rules is in full effect, Ambrose is already making an impact on the locker room.
“It’s both nerve-racking and exciting when a new head coach comes in,” junior guard Madi Lopez said. “So just trying to turn those nerves into determination and confidence for the season. We know where we want to be this year as a team, and we’re dedicated to making that happen.”
Ambrose brings excitement to an already established women’s basketball team that finished 16-11 a season ago with a NEWMAC semifinals appearance. But now, the objective becomes getting ready for the season that is right around the corner. Plugging in a new offensive scheme and wanting to attack quicker space up and down the floor is one of the priorities that Ambrose wants to address. Yet, at the end of the day, it’s the attitude and effort that matters the most when Western New England comes to Blake Arena on Nov. 6th.
“I’m expecting us to go out and compete,” Ambrose said. “Can’t think about the result, just did we play hard? Did we execute? And do we do what we need to do to make winning plays and put ourselves in a position to win.”
With the hiring of Ambrose, Springfield College now has two black head coaches who lead the two basketball teams. With Coach Michael McClendon just down the hallway from her, Ambrose doesn’t shy away from what’s in front of her.
“It’s something I am very aware of from a perspective of what I am doing is also bigger than me,” Ambrose noted. “If you look at the numbers and opportunities, particularly black female head coaches don’t get second chances, and that’s also why I can’t be so focused on the pressure, because if I am thinking about that, then I am not enjoying the experience that I am currently in.”
Ambrose is an extremely detailed and focused person. She never misses a six in the morning workout, and she will always give her all in the classroom and for her athletes on the court.
“I’m excited for the Springfield community to really rally around this team,” Ambrose said. “I want to see what they’re about and what they can do to bring excitement around this group of young women because we do have a lot of talent in the locker room, and I am excited for people to see them at their fullest potential.”