CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball program announced the hiring of Alyssa Limmer as assistant women's basketball coach. Limmer was a coach for Wisconsin Playground Elite, one of the premier AAU programs in the Midwest and Wisconsin, from 2020-23. Wisconsin Playground Elite has produced countless collegiate players in men's and women's basketball, including WNBA players Arike Ogunbowale and Natasha Heideman. In addition, it was the AAU program that produced former Golden Eagle men's basketball player Harrison Cleary, the UMN Crookston and NSIC all-time leader in scoring.
"We are very excited to add Alyssa to our staff!," said Head Coach Natalie Moynihan. "Her energy and passion for the game was apparent and she is very eager and willing to learn. We felt that she was a perfect addition to the excellence we are building here at UMN Crookston and are thrilled to have her join our Golden Eagle family!"
Limmer helped coach various age groups for Wisconsin Playground Elite, including the girls U16 squad, and the U14 team. She helped in the skill development of youth basketball players, and helped student-athletes as they looked to pursue collegiate opportunities after high school. Basketball instruction at Wisconsin Playground Elite is facilitated by experience-based, contextual teaching strategies and learning situations.
In addition to coaching for Wisconsin Playground Elite, Limmer has gained other experiences within athletic environments. Limmer served as an athletics development assistant at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She managed administrative components of the athletic development office. In addition, she ran fundraising reports, compiled lists of donors, and processed donations.
From 2019-20, Limmer was a volunteer head coach for the Franklin Youth Girls Basketball Association. In addition, she worked during the same time as a fan services associate for the Milwaukee Admirals, a professional hockey club and AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators. She also has worked as an intern for the FC Milwaukee Torrent, a professional soccer team based in Wauwatosa, Wis. Limmer assisted with ticket sales, team travel, and team housing. She also helped with fan experience, designed game day programs, and pricing spreadsheets for tickets and merchandise.
Limmer received her bachelor's degree in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin in 2015. She joins Bryant Friskop as assistant coaches for the Golden Eagles. Friskop is entering his ninth season with the Golden Eagles in 2023. He has been a staple on the Minnesota Crookston bench, helping the Golden Eagles to three NSIC Tournament appearances, including the 2022-23 squad. Friskop has helped coach seven All-NSIC players, including reigning NSIC Freshman of the Year and All-NSIC First Team recipient Emma Miller.
The 2023-24 season will usher in a new era of Golden Eagle women's basketball led by Head Coach Natalie Moynihan. Moynihan was hired in the spring of 2023 after most recently serving as an assistant coach at the University of Bridgeport. Minnesota Crookston is slated to begin the regular season Friday, November 10 against the University of Nebraska Kearney on a neutral court in Marshall, Minn.
