They won a school-record 28 games. Senior Kiely Schork, a four-time All-GCAC selection, set Loyola’s all-time career scoring record. Fellow All-GCAC selection Trenese Smith set the school’s single-season scoring record. They reached the Elite Eight of the NAIA tournament. They were ranked 15th in the nation.
They are the Loyola University Lady Wolfpack, and they whipped up a season full of highlights. The backboard behind their unprecedented success?
Head Coach Dobee Plaisance.
Plaisance has been the women’s basketball coach at Loyola since 1995, but her romance with basketball blossomed at a very young age. In college, Plaisance was a four-year starter on the court, playing two years at University of New Orleans and two at University of Southern Mississippi. She studied for a master’s degree, but soon fell back into basketball after being courted into the coaching world, leaving her master’s unfinished. After a few years as Tulane’s assistant coach, Plaisance was eager to run her own show. In 1986 she became head coach at St. Martin’s Episcopal High School.
Plaisance used her eight years at St. Martin’s to put the school on the basketball map. She led them to seven state playoffs and two state championships.
“I was not there to teach these kids to put a leather ball through a hoop, I was there to teach them integrity and character,” she said.
After having children, however, Plaisance found it difficult to juggle her family, basketball and the teaching load required of high school coaches. That’s when switched back to college coaching, so she could craft her own schedule and spend more time with her kids.
While it hasn’t been easy, Plaisance has found a balance between coaching and raising a family. She recalls bringing her daughter, Theresa, to her first basketball camp when she was just a toddler. She said Theresa was unimpressed, sitting quietly in a corner and rolling a ball around on the floor. Ironically, 15 years later, Theresa is one of Ursuline Academy’s top players and is being scouted by several colleges. Plaisance’s son, Scotty, is a multi-sport athlete.
“One way we know how to get Coach to smile,” mass communication senior Schork said, “is to bring up Theresa or Scotty. She may still run us, but we know that talking about the kids will put her in a much better mood.”
“My first job is to be a mother, a servant of the Lord, then a coach,” Plaisance said.
Her passion for family and basketball is matched only by her devotion to the Catholic Church. To illustrate, she stands up and excitedly lifts up her sweatshirt to reveal a gray shirt she made bearing the words: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
“I have been truly blessed,” Plaisance said.
After a dozen years of climbing the ladder of basketball success at Loyola, Plaisance’s 13th season was a charm. By every measure, the team enjoyed the most successful season in its history. Her basketball team had a 100 percent retention rate following Hurricane Katrina.
“Dobee always tries to make us better people, inside and outside the lines.” Schork said. “After playing for her, I will walk away a better person.”
Kimberly Rigg, pre-med psychology major, also gives credit to Plaisance. “I appreciate the strength Coach has given me,” she said. “She never gave up on us and constantly was pushing us to reach our full potential.”
While the season was a rollercoaster of emotions for the team, they persevered enough to have the most successful season in Loyola women’s basketball history.
“My girls committed themselves to this program and were resilient,” Plaisance said. “They fought hard and did not allow any setbacks to impede. They are a true joy to coach.”
Elizabeth Crapanzano can be reached at [email protected].
