New face to lead Muskingum University women's basketball

NEW CONCORD — The Muskingum University Athletic Department has named Alison McCarthy as head coach of the women's basketball program.

McCarthy brings a wealth of basketball experience to Muskingum. Most recently, she was an assistant coach for the Rose Hulman women's basketball team and was honored with the WeCOACH Impact Award. This award is given to a class member who leads by example, is committed to encouraging others' success, and is unwaveringly dedicated to her own personal and professional achievement. This past season, McCarthy helped lead the Fightin' Engineers to a 12-win campaign and Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament appearance.

"Alison quickly rose to the top of this national search based on her past experiences in the coaching profession, both on the women's and men's side of the game," said Muskingum Director of Athletics Kari Winters. "As we got deeper into the search process and spent more time with Coach McCarthy, we realized that her values were in line with our department culture and that she was extremely passionate about the game of basketball. I am looking forward to watching her develop relationships within our current roster and around our campus community. We are excited to watch her lead our young women into the future!"

Before her tenure at Rose Hulman, McCarthy honed her coaching skills for an impressive 19 years at the high school level. Her journey began in 1999 as the head girls' basketball coach at Holmes High School in Kentucky. McCarthy's leadership was also felt at Simon Kenton High School (Ky.), Beechwood High School (Ky.), and Woodward High School (Ohio), where she served as head girls' basketball coach. Furthermore, McCarthy expanded her coaching repertoire as Woodward's assistant boys' basketball coach.

"I would like to thank President Dr. Sue Hasseler, Director of Athletics Kari Winters, and the search committee for the opportunity to lead the women's basketball program at Muskingum University," said McCarthy. "I am excited about working at an institution rich with academic and athletic tradition. It is a privilege to be able to teach life lessons, through the game of basketball, that extends far beyond the court. I look forward to cultivating a positive and supportive environment for our student-athletes to thrive and reach their full potential. Go Muskies!"

McCarthy's love for basketball was not only evident in her coaching but also in her playing days at Northern Kentucky University. Her dedication to the sport was recognized when she was inducted into the Holmes High School Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

McCarthy earned her bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Northern Kentucky.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: New face to lead Muskingum University women's basketball