by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
One of the key cogs in Kansas City Kansas Community College’s drive to the 2016 women’s national basketball championship is moving up the coaching ladder.
Third year assistant Chamissa (Missa) Anderson has been named assistant coach and junior varsity head coach at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. An NCAA Division II member, Missouri Southern is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
“Bitter sweet,” KCKCC head coach Joe McKinstry said. “We’re very happy for her but we’re also going to miss her. She’s very deserving. On a personal level, I am most thankful for everything she’s done for our program since taking the position.”
For Anderson, the new position fulfills a goal of advancing to a four-year college basketball program.
“I’m very excited and so grateful for the opportunity,” said Anderson, one of two assistants on the staff of head coach Ronnie Ressel.
In her three years at KCKCC, the Lady Blue Devils have compiled a 73-27 record highlighted by the national championship season when they were 33-3.
“It’s been a blast, a fun ride and a great starting place for a college coaching career ,” Anderson said. “I’ve learned so much and grown as coach and will miss the athletic staff and players very much.”
In her three years at KCKCC, Anderson oversaw the academic success of the program, was extremely instrumental in recruiting and was involved in the day-to-day operations. In addition to her coaching duties, she served as the athletic liaison for Student Housing.
Anderson graduated from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, where she was a two-year starter, averaging double figures in both scoring and rebounding both season.
As a senior in 2010-2011, she ranked 24th in total rebounds in NAIA Division II. Prior to Trinity, she played one year at Siena Heights University and one year at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, where she set a single game record for rebounding and is among the top five single season rebounders in Ellsworth history.
Anderson’s previous experience includes coaching in both the high school and AAU levels in the Chicagoland area.