ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's basketball assistant coach Kelly Bruce was selected as a 2020-21 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 honoree presented by Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment.
The list recognizes 30 up and coming women's basketball coaches, both head and assistant, under the age of 30 across all levels in college basketball. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
Bruce has been in her second stint with the Lions since 2019. She spent two years as a graduate assistant while earning her masters degree at Behrend from 2015-2017. After graduating with her MBA, Bruce was the director of basketball operations at Cleveland State University for two seasons.
Bruce graduated from Mt. Union (Ohio) in May 2015 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a minor in public service. She spent one year on the women's basketball team, before suffering a career-ending injury. Bruce transitioned to the sidelines and spent two years as a student coach for her final two years. She was responsible for scouting, recruiting, running drills and practice and helping with strength and conditioning. Bruce also attended the WBCA "So You Want To Be A Coach" program at the Division III national convention during the Final Four.
Head coach Christine VanHook says "Kelly has had an enormous impact on this team since she has been on staff here. She not only challenges our players on the court and helps them to become better basketball players, but she leads them off the court as well. Kelly helps them and pushes them to be the best student and holds them accountable when they need the extra push. She also is a strong woman role model for our players to look up to. They know they can come to her with life hardships and she will be there for them through thick and thin. I appreciate what she brings to this program and I know she is making an impact in our player's lives forever as their coach."
