NDA Girls Basketball Coach Sara Rohde just surpassed the 300-win total in her illustrious career, doing so against the Ashwaubenon Jaguars in a 73-49 victory.
“Three hundred wins is a reflection of showing up every day, putting in the work, and staying committed through the good times and/or the times that may not be easy to maintain a standard of excellence,” said Rohde.
This is Coach Rohde’s 14th season as head of the NDA basketball program. She has been the driving force behind five state championship teams and the overseer of the Future Tritons program.
“I have overseen the Future Tritons program since I’ve been the head coach and have been quite involved,” said Rohde.
Rohde has surrounded herself with a coaching staff to help keep the program at a championship level and maintain a consistent level of success.
Eliza Campbell, Katelyn Morgan, and Tom Wyckoff make up her staff, and the head coach was quick to compliment them on the work they do for her and the team.
“Eliza is really creative, goofy, technology savvy, and competitive, which the players love. Eliza will always remind the girls who the real boss is on the court. Katelyn is very structured and teaches the players how to use their voice in many ways from communication on and off the court to being great teammates. Katelyn was an amazing leader when she played for me, and you can see that translate into how she coaches. Tom brings a lot of experience as a former Varsity coach, and will hold the girls accountable when they aren’t following a gameplan or performing to the level that is expected,” she stated.
She added that she needs assistants to “challenge my thinking” and concluded that all of her coaches get along very well and have all shown a tremendous amount of loyalty to her and the program.
Katelyn Morgan has been on Rohde’s staff since the 2021-22 season and is very appreciative of the relationship she has developed since having her as a coach.
“I have known Sara since I was 14, so 12 years. When I was playing for her, she was always an incredible mentor–guiding me, pushing me–but now, it’s different. We talk about way more than just basketball. We’ve built this friendship where we get to do other things together, and it’s not always about the game,” said Morgan.
She also added that Rohde is a coach who sets the bar high because she knows what her players are capable of.
Eliza Campbell also played for Rohde and now is her top assistant on her staff.
“From the start, I was drawn to her competitiveness–something we both share and believe is why we have always had a very positive relationship. In high school and college, she was someone I looked up to and wanted to make proud,” she commented.
Campbell was the one who had special shirts made for Rohde when she reached her 300th win.
“Coach Katelyn and I thought that a poster in the locker room would be fine, but Peyton (Musial) gave us an idea of shirts,” said Campbell.
Rohde is incredibly thankful for the career she has had at Notre Dame and reflected on what it all means to her.
“The 300 wins remind me of the countless relationships that have been made over the years at NDA, the lessons learned, and obviously, a ton of amazing memories to reflect on and appreciate,” she said.
She has one final box to mark off her list of coaching desires, coaching both of her daughters in high school. The good news for Triton fans is that her youngest daughter is in first grade.
“I hope my players can look back and realize that they are able to do difficult things, but it requires hard work. I would like them to feel proud of the work they put in on and off the court to be strong, young ladies. There are many ways to be impactful in the game of basketball, similar to life. Lastly, I hope they were able to develop memorable relationships with their teammates and coaches because sports has always provided that for me,” Rohde concluded.
