Name: Nichole Schutte
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling
College: BA- Northwest Nazarene University MA- Western Oregon University
When asked what three words come to mind regarding the San Francisco State’s women’s basketball team, assistant coach, Nichole Schutte, said “quick, pressure and loyal”.
The 25-year-old would have great insight to this answer as this is her third year coaching the SFSU women’s basketball team.
Schutte applied for the job after already having experience coaching at Western Oregon University, and was offered the position at SFSU on her birthday.
“I decided to take the job at San Francisco State because of my faith,” Schutte said. “I am a firm believer that the Lord places us where he wants us and the door was opened for me to be challenged and experience a new place and culture.”
Schutte had always been an athletic girl growing up; this enabled her to not only play sports at a college level but to ultimately gain five years of coaching experience on a collegiate level.
“I started playing basketball in seventh grade. I also ran track and played volleyball throughout high school,” Schutte said. “When I got to college I was recruited for both basketball and track and was able to participate in both at the collegiate level.”
When asked how the team will be looking for next season, Schutte said that they were “very excited for next year,” one reason is because they are taking on solid new players including some freshmen and junior college transfers.
“We think that our depth will be increased and that we’ve put together a competitive environment everyday in practice, which is a breeding ground for success,” Schutte said.
When asked about the school spirit and turn out for the SFSU women’s basketball team, she said that the turn out for the games are pretty poor. She added that the girls work hard and would love more support in the stands.
“I know our girls work hard and would love to have more fans in the stands to support them. I think this school is capable of having tremendous school spirit, it’s a matter of supporting [each others] endeavors,” she said.
Although the job can get tough during long hours in the middle of the season, Schutte said the best part about her job is seeing the students succeed from their hard work.
“When the make the shot they’ve been working on or ace the test they studied for [it’s] the excitement they feel when they come running up excited to tell you about it,” she said.
Schutte’s advice for competitive female sports players in high school or colllege: “Play all the sports you can because it will make you a more well rounded athlete, and if you’re a serious basketball player, get a left hand, and be able to shoot the trey ball.”