Altoona native returns to spotlight at Monmouth
By Michael Boytim,mboytim@altoonamirror.comA year ago Anita Jennings, formerly Anita Moore, patrolled area high school gyms as an assistant coach for the Hollidaysburg Lady Tigers basketball team.
The Altoona graduate's playing days as a member of the St. Joseph women's basketball team that went to a pair of NCAA tournaments during her career which spanned from 1991 to 1995 were over. Jennings had a husband and three children and was settling into life out of the spotlight.
Then one phone call from a familiar voice thrust her right back in.
''My coach from St. Joe's, Stephanie Gaitley had moved from coaching Long Island to Monmouth University, and she called me about coming to Monmouth,'' Jennings said. ''We had always kept in touch and stayed close, and she asked me if this was something I'd be interested in, and I jumped at the opportunity.
''I wouldn't want to coach with anyone else. She's very family oriented, and she even lets me bring my girls with us on trips.''
Jennings' official title is the Director of Basketball Operations, but after one of the assistant coaches at Monmouth had to take a leave of absence due to pregnancy, she found her way back to the collegiate sidelines.
The NCAA allows only three assistant coaches to be on the sideline during games, but after Jennings and Monmouth sent a letter to the NCAA explaining the situation, Jennings' presence on the sidelines was approved by NCAA officials.
''We are excited about Anita joining the staff, because she brings a positive energy with her,'' Gaitley said in a statement on Jennings' profile on Monmouth's Web site. ''Between her personality and her defensive expertise, she was a natural fit here for us.''
Jennings said things moved along quickly after she got the call from Gaitley.
''Moving was kind of tough, but I knew the job was something I wanted to do,'' Jennings said. ''I spoke with my husband and kids. It was crazy, we didn't even see the place we moving into before we got there. They asked me, and we moved within a month, but it's right on the beach and the kids have adjusted really well.''
Through Jan. 24, Monmouth stood at 9-9 overall and 4-4 in the Northeast Conference and Jennings has found the experience rewarding.
''It's been great. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I was back in the swing of things,'' Jennings said. ''[Gaitley] still runs the same system and has the same philosophy as when I played for her. She's very defensive oriented, and I just love defense and to be able to pass that on to these college kids is very rewarding and fulfilling.
''You hope that you can touch these kids lives, and seeing them grow is amazing.''
Though Jennings is enjoying her new position, she has Feb. 2 marked on her calendar - a matchup with St. Francis in Loretto.
''We are definitely looking forward to that weekend and have called all my friends, my brother and nieces and nephews,'' Jennings said. ''I'm hoping to see them, I miss this girls from Hollidaysburg and Coach [Joe] Hurd and Coach Jubeck. It's going to be a big weekend.''
