Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball Completes Coaching Staff
07/16/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
July 16, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - One thing Dana Eikenberg mentioned since taking over as head coach of the Southern Illinois University women's basketball team is how her coaching staff will play a big part in determining the success of her program.
It shouldn't take long to find the type of success Eikenberg is looking for. Especially, with the addition of Erin Olson and Rasheeda Love, who put the finishing touches on a coaching staff, which Eikenberg believes has all the potential to get the Salukis headed in the right direction.
"In order to have a successful team, we have to have a successful staff," said Eikenberg. "In addition to Jody (Adams) and Susan (Koering), Erin and Rasheeda work very hard and exhibit all the things I expect from my assistants on a day-to-day basis."
As expected, Olson is the third coach from the University of Missouri-Kansas City who followed Eikenberg to SIU.
A native of Mitchell, S.D., and graduate of the University of Minnesota (1999), she will serve as a graduate assistant with the Salukis. Along with helping coach the post players, Olson will handle coordinating the use of facilities and handle equipment.
Olson coached the last two seasons under Eikenberg at UMKC, where she held similar duties. Prior to her stint with the Kangaroos, she spent nearly two years in Prague, Czech Republic, where she played for Sparta Praha Basketball Club. She was also involved with Athletes in Action in Prague, planning and coordinating AIA basketball tours.
Additionally, she helped mentor and tutor students at the Sport Faculty of Charles University and assisted with the USA Junior National Team during the World Championships for Junior Women.
On the court, Olson was a three-year letterwinner for the Golden Gophers from 1997-2000. A team captain as a senior, she averaged 11.4 points and dished out 131 assists en route to MVP honors. She was also a two-time Academic all-Big Ten honoree in consecutive seasons (1999-2000).
"Erin is one of the best young coaches in the game," praised Eikenberg. "I'm fortunate she wants to join the coaching staff here at SIU. She serves and gives of herself like no other."
Meanwhile, Love makes her coaching debut in the Missouri Valley Conference at SIU this season. No stranger to the league, she capped off a two-year career at Bradley University in 2002-03. That year, she led the Braves in both steals (66) and assists (125) en route to making the Valley's All-Defensive Team.
Although Love is the only member on this year's coaching staff who didn't previously coach at UMKC, her strong southern Illinois ties will make her a good fit for the job.
A native of Mt. Vernon, Ill., who played at nearby John A. Logan College before transferring to BU, Love will assist in perimeter development, take care of film exchange, help with 2006-07 in-state recruiting and handle community involvement.
"Rasheeda has an unbelievable passion for people," described Eikenberg. "She has an electrifying personality, and in regards to recruiting, that will help us tremendously. She's a great addition to our staff because of her southern Illinois and MVC ties."
