From star player to assistant coach!
That is what is happening with Laura Dally and the U of S Huskies women’s basketball program. Dally was named the new full-time assistant to head coach Lisa Thomaidis with the Saskatchewan women’s hoopsters. Dally played two Canada West Conference all-star seasons for the Huskies between 2014 and 16, capping her U of S career by being named M-V-P of the 2016 U Sports final in which Saskatchewan won their first national title. Following is the news release from Huskie Athletics…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2021
National champion Dally returns to Huskies as assistant coach
Huskie Athletics
SASKATOON – A prominent figure in the history of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s basketball program has returned to the reigning national champion team, as chief athletics officer Dave Hardy and head coach Lisa Thomaidis announced Laura Dally as the new full-time assistant coach.
“I am so excited to start working with Laura. She has done it all as an athlete…. she’s represented Canada on our national team, she’s played professionally in Europe and she’s won a national championship as a Huskie,” said Thomaidis. “More importantly, Laura has a passion for giving back and sharing the lessons she’s learned over her illustrious career with our current and future Huskies.”
Playing for the Huskies for two seasons from 2014-2016, Dally transferred from Western University and made an immediate impact on the program. The product of Bright’s Grove, Ont. was a two-time Canada West All-Star, a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and also awarded Canada West Player of the Year. Dally capped off her Huskies career by leading the program to its first national championship, scoring 25 points en route to being named the most valuable player of the national championship final.
“I am thrilled to be returning to the Huskie women’s basketball program as an assistant coach,” said Dally. “It will be an honour to work with and learn from a coaching staff and program that has had so much success.”
Dally joins the Huskies from her current role as owner and lead coach of Next Level Hoops, an elite basketball training outfit in Saskatoon that offers programming ranging from one-on-one sessions to summer camps and team-based training. During her time running Next Level Hoops Dally gained crucial experience providing an opportunity for youth to improve their skillset while gaining confidence and connection with others.
Off the court Dally has been the marketing and communication coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan as well as helping with the planning and execution of the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League.
“I am incredibly passionate about this program and the Saskatoon basketball community and can’t wait to get in the gym with this talented group of young women,” said Dally.
Graduating from USask with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree, Dally spent the 2016-17 season playing professionally in Germany. Dally was also a member of Basketball Canada junior, development and senior teams from 2009-2017.
Joining a staff that includes Thomaidis, Ali Fairbrother and Jacqueline Lavallee, Dally enters a program that is at the pinnacle of U SPORTS teams across the nation. The last time they were on the court the Huskies captured the second U SPORTS national champions in program history, they have won four of the past five Canada West championships and have compiled a regular season record of 84-16 over the past five seasons.
“Laura will be a wonderful addition to our staff, who will continue to grow our culture of excellence and community engagement,” said Thomaidis, also the head coach of the Canadian National Team. “We are thrilled that she will be bringing her energy, positivity and valuable skillset to our environment.”
