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Head Coach Brenda Mechels
Head Women's Basketball Coach Brenda Mechels has rebuilt the
Dana Women's Basketball Team since her arrival in 2003 around
the virtues of Team, Respect and Commitment.
The Dana women trust and believe in each other, the coaching
staff and the program. There is an unselfish willingness to
place
the
team above self, and do whatever necessary to make the team
successful.
Through self-respect, the team is able to treat others with
respect and dignity. This is reflected by showing responsibility
for
their actions in all aspects of life, and embracing a positive
attitude even in difficult times. Respect for self and others
helps to instill an open and honest line of communication.
The Viking women's basketball players are loyal to teammates,
coaches and the program. Through dedication, discipline and
a relentless
work
ethic,
they demonstrate
commitment to Viking Basketball. Because of this shared commitment,
they hold one another accountable for high standards in all
areas of life. |
This philosophy has paid off on the basketball court and in the
classroom. In 2005-06, the Vikings won the most games since the 1995-96
season. The Dana women's basketball
team sported the highest GPA in the NAIA in 2005-06, a 3.585. And
Mechels is looking for the trend to continue upward.
Mechels herself is a former Dana Viking, graduating from Dana in
1996 with a degree in mathematics. She was a leader on the team and
in the classroom, earning Academic All-America
honors. She came
back to lead the Vikings after coaching high school teams and
serving
as an assistant at College of St. Mary.
She played high school basketball at Burns (Wyo.) High School where
she earned All-State honors.
Mechels earned her master's degree in health, physical education
and recreation from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She also serves
as director of the college's sport management program.
Office:
402-426-7283
E-Mail: bmechels@dana.edu
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Assistant Coach Shannon Struby
Former Creighton University standout and recent Hall of Fame
inductee, Shannon Struby, is her fifth year with the Lady Vikings.
Struby brings
a variety
of
playing and coaching experiences to Dana College. She was a
starting forward for the Nebraska Express (a pro-league before
the WNBA) for two years. Her coaching career has spanned from
high school state tournament teams to the collegiate level,
with head coaching experience at College of St. Mary in Omaha.
As the assistant coach at Dana, Struby works a great deal with
the post players. Currently, she is a Physical Therapist Assistant
for Methodist Hospital in Omaha.
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Assistant Coach Ken Furstenau
Assistant Coach Ken Furstenau joins the Dana coaching staff
after coaching the girl’s basketball team at Bishop Neumann
High School in Wahoo, Nebraska for the past four years. Coach
Furstenau is no stranger to the NAIA and the Great Plains Athletic
Conference, having graduated from Midland Lutheran College
and then the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln.
As an assistant coach at Dana, he will help develop the junior
varsity team and assist with recruiting. Currently, he is a
guidance counselor and head cross country coach at Bishop Neumann
High School. |
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