SUNY Potdam

Tara Ruckh: Head Coach

Tara Ruckh is now entering her fifth season as the women’s basketball coach at SUNY Potsdam. Her teams have demonstrated continual improvement during her previous three seasons. 

Last season the women's team finished with 17-12 tally as they completed one of the best years in the history of women's basketball at SUNY Potsdam. The ladies advanced to the championship game of the 2009 SUNYAC Tournament where they finished second in the conference. Potsdam then went on to make a repeat appearance at the ECAC Tournament.

During the 2007-08 season the women continued the improvement begun  during Ruckh's first season. The Bears were then recognized as being the 12th-most improved NCAA Division III program in the nation. After finishing 2-23 in 2005-06, Tara Ruckh's Bears went 11-15 in 2006-07 and earned its first SUNYAC playoff berth since the 97-98 season.

In her initial season with the Bears, Ruckh took a team with eight freshman and two sophomores and made them competitive in the very tough SUNYAC conference. The Bears then recorded their first conference wins in nearly two years, and were in contention for a SUNYAC playoff spot until the last week of the season.

Prior to taking the helm of the Potsdam program in 2005, Tara was the top assistant to Dan Raymond at Ithaca College.  During her tenure with Ithaca, the women tallied a 109 – 30 record while winning four Empire Eight Conference Championships. The Ithaca women made five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during that time. Ruckh was also an assistant coach for women's lacrosse and women's outdoor track and field while at Ithaca. 

A 1999 graduate of SUNY Cortland, Ruckh was a two-year captain for the women’s basketball team. Under Ruckh's leadership the women finished 26-2 while winning the 1999 SUNYAC Championship and making their first NCAA tournament appearance. During her four year career at Cortland, Ruckh averaged 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds. 

Coach Ruckh was also an assistant coach and head JV coach at Cortland for one season prior to her appointment at Ithaca. In 2001 Coach Ruckh also completed her Masters of Science in Education at Cortland. A native of South Dayton, Ruckh played on three New York State PHSAA championship teams at Pine Valley Central School.
 

Molly Brennan: Assistant Coach

Molly Brennan is now beginning her fourth season on the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant to head coach Tara Ruckh. 

Brennan will continue to enhance her coaching credentials and recently earned her graduate degree in organizational leadership.  She will assist Ruckh in all aspects of the Bear program including recruiting, scouting, game preparation, and individual skills development. 

A 2006 graduate of Ithaca College where she was a four-year letter winner and captain in her senior year, Brennan played on two Empire 8 championship teams in addition to three NCAA tournament teams.  During Brennan's career, the Bombers won 78 games while losing only 31 (.72%). 

Coach Ruckh expects Brennan to play a key role in the development of Potsdam's young players.   She is also counting on Molly to assist her in the continued recruitment of quality players to the Potsdam program.   

In announcing the appointment, Ruckh said "SUNY Potsdam is very fortunate to have a young woman of Molly's caliber joining our staff."  "Her character, personality and leadership skills are  first-rate, and will provide an excellent role model for our players."  "Coming from a program with a strong winning tradition, Molly will be an invaluable asset in helping our team become more competitive."  "I am pleased and excited to have Molly join the Potsdam women's basketball staff." 

In joining the Potsdam program, Brennan points the opportunity to work with Coach Ruckh, who recruited her to Ithaca.  She is excited to be joining the Potsdam staff, and also to be working with a talented group of young players who have a promising future. 

A native of Green Island, NY; Brennan attended the Heatly School where she scored over 1,000 points and was her conference MVP.  Brennan holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science.