Monica “Mo” Burns used to think about what coaching might be like, but she didn’t fully entertain the idea when she was in college. She was too busy breaking records at Wheeling Jesuit a few years ago.
But now the profession has Burns’ full attention.
The former Hempfield standout was hired to be an assistant with the Alderson Broaddus women’s basketball team.
Burns, who helped Wheeling Jesuit win back-to-back Mountain East Conference titles and NCAA Division II Tournament trips in 2015-16 and ‘16-17, played her final season at Cal (Pa.) as she pursued a master’s degree.
She scored more than 1,000 points in only two seasons at Wheeling, averaging 17.8 points as a junior. While she was often lethal from 3-point range, her claim to fame has to be her free-throw shooting. She led the country in foul shooting in 2016-17 by making 94.6% of her attempts — a NCAA record — including 118 consecutive free throws made, an all-time record.
Burns remains Hempfield’s all-time leading scorer with 1,295 points.
Alderson Broaddus head coach Summer Quesenberry said she is grateful to get Burns on staff.
“Coach Mo is a confident and assertive leader that will serve as a great role model for our players,” Quesenberry said. “Her career accolades are not only impressive within the Mountain East Conference but also on the national level; our players will benefit from the competitive edge she will provide simply from her setting the tone and passing her knowledge. Her dedication to our sport and drive to achieve will inspire our players to be the best that they can be simply because Monica’s energy is contagious.”
