Journal & Topics Media Group

Stephanie Kuzmanic Leaves Leyden For Illinois State


The Kuzmanic family has had a great couple months, especially with the big news Thursday, July 15 that Stephanie Kuzmanic is headed to Illinois State University to become the new director of basketball operations.

Unfortunately that means she is leaving Leyden, where she was the girls basketball head coach for the past seven seasons. She started coaching Leyden in 2014 after fellow Carthage alum Drewann Pancratz left the position after a two-season run.

The Mount Prospect native made her mark in the basketball community in the Northwest suburbs, from playing and coaching prep ball here, to also coaching AAU in the area with ALL IN since 2018.

Kuzmanic, a 2010 Wheeling alum, was looking forward to possibly facing her sister Deanna this season after Deanna was named the new Maine West girls basketball head coach a few months ago. As much as it disappoints her to not get that matchup between Maine West and Leyden, she will still be rooting for the Eagles, along with her sister’s Warriors team.

Leyden coach Stephanie Kuzmanic watches the action as her team plays her alma mater Wheeling in 2018.

Kuzmanic was not only a star player at Wheeling (team went 109-18 in her 4 seasons), she had a career to remember at Carthage College from 2010-14. Kuzmanic was a two-time D3hoops.com All-American and two-time Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American. She was first team all-conference in 2013 and 2014, while also earning College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Most Valuable Player both seasons.

Kuzmanic was named part of the 2020 Carthage Athletics Hall of Fame class. 

Kuzmanic, who also earned many academic accolades during her playing career, was a physical education teacher at West Leyden the last seven years.

She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Olivet Nazarene. Kuzmanic earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health education from Carthage (‘14).

She was hired by Illinois State women’s basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie. Benji Mastandrea was also named ISU’s new video coordinator.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to work with Kristen and join the Redbird family,” Kuzmanic said in a school press release. “I’m looking forward to working at the collegiate level and can’t wait to get to work. I’m thrilled to be around such a talented coaching staff and help contribute in any way I can.”

 

Recent Leyden Coaches:

(at least) 2004-2009 – Tim Stark

2009-11 – Michele Szatko

2012-14 – Drewann Pancratz

2014-21 – Stephanie Kuzmanic

Support local news by subscribing to the Journal & Topics in print or online.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.