November 9 , 2005

Alex Ivansheck

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith Director of Athletics Deb Steward recently announced the appointment of Alex Ivansheck as assistant basketball coach. A graduate of Ithaca College, Ivansheck is one of the top point guards in Bombers’ basketball history.

“We are thrilled to have Alex join the Heron coaching staff,” Steward said. “She has a strong work ethic and the desire to be successful. Her enthusiasm and passion for the game will carry-over to the student-athletes.”

A two-time All-Empire 8 honorable mention selection, Ivansheck brings quality playing and coaching experience to the Herons’ staff. She has played an integral role in the annual Ithaca College Basketball Clinic and she coached the Connecticut Storm, an AAU team, in 1999-2000. As a student at Ithaca, Ivansheck worked in the women’s basketball office, assisting with recruiting and video breakdown.

As a player for the Bombers over parts of five seasons—she missed all but five games of her senior year due to injury, but played as a graduate student—Ivansheck scored 567 points, handed out 333 assists, made 253 steals, and pulled down 309 rebounds, while shooting 37 percent from three-point range. Her career assists and steals totals rank third on Ithaca’s all-time lists.

The Bombers compiled a record of 109-28 during her five seasons, earning NCAA Tournament bids from 2001 through 2005. A two-time team captain, Ivansheck led Ithaca to the Empire 8 Championship in 2002, 2004, and 2005. She broke the Bombers’ single game record for postseason assists, when she handed out seven helpers in an NCAA Tournament win over Brockport in 2002.

Ivansheck holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a master’s degree in business administration from Ithaca. As a senior, she worked with the Women’s Sports Foundation, serving the organization as a Web editorial intern.

A native of Norwich, Conn., Ivansheck helped the Norwich Free Academy girls’ basketball team to two state championships.

William Smith returns 10 letterwinners, including four starters, from last season’s 20-8 team that won the Liberty League regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Sectional Semifinals. The team’s top three scorers all return, including 2005 Liberty League Rookie of the Year Marisa Vespa (Immaculate Heart/Watertown, N.Y.), who paced the Herons with 11.5 ppg and a William Smith first-year record 142 assists.

The Herons open the season on Nov. 19, at Keuka. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Back to William Smith Basketball