By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Former women's basketball standout Britanny Kochenderfer ('19) has returned to Willamette University as the new athletics program assistant. She will work at the main desk on the second floor of the Sparks Athletic Center and will assist administrators and coaches with a wide range of duties.
Kochenderfer played basketball for the Bearcats during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. She helped Willamette reach the Northwest Conference Tournament championship game in 2017-18, as the Bearcats finished the season at 17-10, including 12-4 in regular season NWC contests. She was named Second Team All-NWC both seasons. She transferred to Willamette from Idaho State University prior to her junior season.
In 2017-18, Kochenderfer averaged 11.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The Bearcats defeated Whitman College in the NWC Tournament semifinals before falling to George Fox University in the championship game.
As a senior in 2018-19, she led Willamette with 14.6 points and 10.8 boards per game. She ranked second in the NWC in rebounds per game and was seventh in the conference in scoring average. She set a Willamette single season record with 271 rebounds, breaking the previous record of 270, set by Donna Kamala in 1987-88. She also set the school record for rebounds per game. Kochenderfer topped the Bearcats with 30 blocked shots (1.2 avg.) and 35 steals (1.4 avg.). She was second on the team with 54 assists (2.2 avg.). She ranked fourth in NCAA Division III this year with 10.0 defensive rebounds per game. She was 16th in the nation in double-doubles, 48th in total rebounds, and 46th in rebounds per game.
Her career statistics with the Bearcats included 677 points and 468 rebounds. Kochenderfer earned 108 assists, 68 steals, and 57 blocked shots. She attained double-figure scoring 39 times in 52 games played and earned 21 double-doubles during her career. She tied for third at Willamette in career scoring average with 13.0 points per game. She finished second in career rebounds per game (9.0) and was seventh in total rebounds.
Kochenderfer was immediately interested in the athletics program assistant position as soon as she was aware of the job. Now, she has the chance to work with many of the coaches and administrators she met during her two years as a student-athlete with the Bearcats.
"I wanted to work at Willamette because I knew that I would be working with an athletics staff that values their athletes as individuals and cares about their success outside of sports," Kochenderfer said. "I also knew that I would be working alongside experienced coaches and staff who I can learn a lot from."
Relating to current student-athletes is a strength for Kochenderfer. She learned a lot while playing basketball at Idaho State and Willamette and while taking classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She received a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Willamette in 2019 and earned a master's degree in Counseling from the University of San Diego this year.
"Being a student-athlete at Willamette taught me how to be a team player and not to be afraid to make mistakes," Kochenderfer noted. "During my graduate program, I carried those same values with me and will continue to in the future. I identify strongly with the WU culture and I am excited to be a part of it again."
The skills set and list of experiences for Kochenderfer made her an appealing choice for the job. What she brings to the athletics program assistant position will allow her to contribute to the entire Department of Athletics.
"As a recent student-athlete, I think I can bring a different perspective to the position," Kochenderfer commented. "I remember what it felt like to be in their shoes and I can empathize with the ups and downs you go through as a college athlete. I would also like to use my background in counseling to continue to support student-athletes' mental health and wellness."
Kochenderfer is ready to interact with members of the Willamette community, including student-athletes who compete on WU's 20 intercollegiate teams.
"I am looking forward to making close connections with Willamette staff and students," Kochendefer affirmed. "I'm excited to experience athletics from the other side and learn from staff who I respect and admire."
While many of Kochenderfer's duties as the athletics program assistant will involve working with coaches and administrators on behind-the-scenes projects that allow the teams to run smoothly, she also hopes to impact the lives of student-athletes. Her collegiate work has prepared her for interacting with others, especially student-athletes.
"As a graduate assistant at USD, I studied mental health stigma in collegiate student-athletes under Dr. Saundra Tabet," Kochenderfer said. "I also assisted with Student-Athlete Wellness Day, which was dedicated to educating and providing resources to student-athletes. Athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka have paved the way for an improvement of mental health awareness in athletics, but more needs to continue to be done to fight the stigma. It is my goal to be a resource and an advocate for mental health at Willamette."
