Rutgers Women's Basketball Names Tasha Pointer to Coaching Staff
Jun 28 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Former Rutgers standout Tasha Pointer has been named an assistant coach at Rutgers, RU head coach C. Vivian Stringer has announced.
"We are extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to have Tasha Pointer come home to Rutgers," Stringer said. "She bleeds Scarlet. What is significant about her return is she is the person that saw the potential of our program years ago. Tasha made the commitment to become a Scarlet Knight when no one else did. Being the leader as she as, we're not surprised."
"It's surreal and I can liken it to a marriage proposal," Pointer said of her return to her alma mater. "You always hope for it one day but you never think it is going to happen. Now, I have this amazing opportunity to come back to the 'Banks' and to be a part of Rutgers Women's Basketball. I am happy to return and elated coach has entrusted me to be a part of her
Pointer, who played at Rutgers from 1997-2001, led the Scarlet Knights to their first-ever Final Four appearance as a senior captain. She earned a number of accolades during her time at RU, including being named BIG EAST Rookie of the Year in 1998 and garnering First Team All-BIG EAST honors in 1999 and 2000. In 2000, she was also named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, as well as earning Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention.
"She embodies what it means to be a Scarlet Knight as a player and as a student," Stringer said. "She was on the Dean's List and went on to get her master's degree. She's bright and she's our future. She's young enough to relate to the players and mature enough to be an outstanding coach."
Pointer was recognized by the BIG EAST Conference in 2003, being named to the BIG EAST 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame Team. She holds the Rutgers' all-time assists and steals records, with 839 assists and 292 steals, respectively, and scored 1,456 points in her decorated career. She also recorded the first triple-double in Rutgers basketball history (men's and women's) against Providence during her senior campaign. Pointer had four triple-doubles in her illustrious career, the most in BIG EAST history.
The Chicago native comes to RU after spending a year at Xavier University, where she helped lead the Musketeers to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. XU finished the season with a 26-9 record, tying for the second-most wins in school history, and also winning its third Atlantic-10 title.
Pointer began her coaching career at Columbia University (2004-06), coordinating all of the Lions' recruiting and developing the perimeter players for two seasons. Prior to her stint with the Lions, she spent time as an Organization Affiliate for Athletes in Action. During her tenure with AIA, Pointer traveled to Nigeria to play in exhibition games against top collegiate basketball programs, as well as serving as a motivational speaker.
"I think it is easier for me to paint a picture of what Rutgers is and what it has to offer (to recruits)," Pointer said. "I bought into the vision (as a player) and what the program could be when I arrived at Rutgers. Now, the vision has come to fruition. I look forward to sharing that vision with future players."
Pointer earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass media from RU and graduated with her master's degree in education administration and supervision in 2003, also from Rutgers.
Pointer fills the vacancy left by the departure of longtime Rutgers assistant Jolette Law. Law became the head coach at University of Illinois on May 11. Law, ironically recruited Pointer to play at RU.
Also returning to the Rutgers staff is Betsy Yonkman. Yonkman, an assistant coach for the Scarlet Knights from 1995-2001, will serve as assistant to the head coach.
Yonkman spent the 2005-06 season serving as the recruiting coordinator at the University of San Francisco. From 2001-05, she was an associate head coach at the University of Missouri.
"It feels good to be back at Rutgers University and once again have this special opportunity to work for Coach Stringer," Yonkman said. "I look forward to working to continue the great tradition of academic and athletic excellence at Rutgers University."
