Stratton to coach women at UCCS

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs announced Friday the hiring of Jessika Stratton, former Coronado standout and Baylor guard, as the women's basketball coach for the Mountain Lions.

"I'm really excited," Stratton said at the Squatting Chicken restaurant. "This community has given me so much and built me up as a basketball player.

"I was able to play Division I and internationally. To be able to give back my experience to the community is really important and a great opportunity."

Stratton learned of the opening two months ago when Marty Fletcher resigned March 1 after three seasons.

"I am young, 23, with no coaching experience. So, I decided to put my rsum in and see what happened," Stratton said.

"We were pleased to have a young lady of her quality even apply for the position," UCCS athletic director Stephen Kirkham said. "She's going to bless our campus and really get our women's basketball team where it needs to be."

Stratton plays for the Sparta Praha in Prague, Czech Republic. She flew in Sunday, interviewed for the position Tuesday and was told Thursday she was hired.

"I have to return to Prague to take care of some things, but I will be back in early June," Stratton said.

She indicated that she could lean on Kirkham for advice. Kirkham posted a record of 299-157 in 16 seasons at Mesa State, another school from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

"I'll have to learn the ropes, but I have a great mentor and great people on staff to help me learn the system," Stratton said.

Recruiting for next season already is completed, and no assistant coach is in place. The Mountain Lions finished 10-17 last season.

"First plan: to meet the team and get them started with individual workouts," she said.

Stratton is not much older than some of the players she will coach this fall.

"There is a close age gap, but I think it makes for an interesting dynamic for the team," Stratton said. "I know what they expect from their college experience and I hope that I can bring that to them."

She helped Baylor earn three NCAA Tournament appearances (2001, 2002, 2004) and a spot in the championship game of the Women's National Invitation Tournament in 2003, when the Bears lost 64-63 to Auburn.

Stratton made a school-record 45 percent of her 3-point attempts in 2003-04 and holds Baylor's season (87.8 percent) and career records for free-throw shooting.

She was a three-time recipient of academic All-Big 12 honors. Stratton also was named Big 12 Sportswoman of the Year for the 2003- 04 season.

Stratton gained USA Today, Street & Smith, and Gatorade state and national awards, and state and national academic awards at Coronado.

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