Athletic Insider Interview Series: Alyssa Polosky

Coach Polosky is entering her fifth season as the head coach of the Knights’ women’s basketball team in 2023 (Courtesy of GeneseoKnights.com)

In August 2018, SUNY Geneseo announced that their women’s basketball team would have a new head coach. There was nobody better for the job than a former Knights All-American athlete with plenty of coaching experience at Geneseo; with that in mind, Alyssa Polosky assumed the role that summer. Polosky had served as the assistant coach for seven seasons under the previous head coach, providing her with ample experience and a drive to win.

Polosky was exposed to basketball at a young age and started playing in fifth grade. Her mother had played basketball in college at SUNY Broome, where Polosky would later do the same. Before hitting the court, she recalls being a cheerleader and dancer, both of which contributed to her success on the court.

In 2007, Polosky took her basketball talents to SUNY Broome, following in her mother’s footsteps. At Broome, she would go on to earn an associate degree in liberal arts and elementary education. Looking to further her education, SUNY Geneseo was the next step. As a Knight, Polosky received her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education along with her master’s degree in education. Meanwhile, she was thriving on the court. 

In her time at Geneseo, as a player and coach, she has never seen a losing record. Through great coaching and determination, Polosky helped bring continued success to the Knights program. Along with her coach, she recalls several professors being mentors. “Drs. Salmon and Lofquist really helped me along the way…they were great resources,” said Polosky. 

For many, they have no desire to return to their alma mater in any capacity. But for Alyssa Polosky, it was a pleasure. “I really had a great time as a student”, she recalled. Glad to return, Polosky jumped right into coaching success, claiming a 24-5 record in her first season as the Knights’ head coach. Such a great record requires more than skilled players, but also great coaching. “I like to meet with them bi-weekly, or even tri-weekly, to see how everything is going,” she said. 

Similar to many of the coaches at Geneseo, Polosky understands the importance of mental health in athletics. “What’s done in the gym is only 10% of it…most of it is in the office,” she said, “you can’t undermine the importance of mental health.” Even though she finds it important to keep her players in a good mental state, Polosky believes it is important to let them struggle sometimes with on-court issues. “It builds confidence if you can break out of a slump,” said Polosky, “taking them out won’t solve anything.”

Obviously, an important role as a coach is recruiting. With many years of experience, Polosky has a checklist of traits to look for in potential Knights. “You need to have decent grades and be well-rounded as a person,” she said. Taking on leadership roles and serving their community are also on the list. “Regardless of talent, they need the ability to be coached, pushed, and pulled from their comfort zone,” said the coach. 

Despite years of success, the thought behind the process is rather simple. “I’ll figure it out,” she said, “I’m a big ‘sleep on it’ person.” It may seem odd that a coach doesn’t always have a plan, but Polosky has proven that her mindset works, as she has raked up many accolades as a coach, a player, and a mentor for her many student-athletes.