RICH CITY HOOPS | October 31, 2026 | Richmond, Virginia
# Before Her First Game at Richmond, Alisa Kresge Earns National Coaching Recognition
*The Spiders' new women's basketball coach has been named to a prestigious 20-person national watch list just days before beginning her first season in Richmond.*
## National Recognition Arrives Before Opening Night
RICHMOND, VA — October 31, 2026
The University of Richmond women's basketball program has not played its first regular-season game under head coach Alisa Kresge, but its new leader is already receiving national recognition.
On October 29, Richmond Athletics announced that Kresge had been selected for the 2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award preseason watch list.
Presented by Her Hoop Stats, the award recognizes outstanding coaching achievements across Division I women's basketball programs classified as mid-majors.
Kresge is one of 20 coaches nationally included on the preseason list.
The recognition arrives just days before Richmond opens its 2026–27 campaign against Charlotte on November 2.
For a program entering a significant coaching transition, the announcement provides an early indication of the expectations surrounding its new leader.
## Why Kresge Earned National Attention
Kresge's credentials were established long before she arrived in Richmond.
During eight seasons leading the University of Vermont, she compiled a 145–89 record and became the winningest head coach in program history.
Her teams reached three NCAA Tournaments in four seasons and captured three America East Tournament championships.
Perhaps most impressively, Vermont recorded at least 20 victories in each of Kresge's final five seasons.
Her last campaign with the Catamounts produced a 27–8 record, an America East regular-season championship, a conference tournament title and another NCAA Tournament appearance.
Kresge also earned her second America East Coach of the Year award following the 2025–26 season.
Those accomplishments established a foundation of sustained success rather than a single breakthrough year.
## Richmond Joins a Competitive National Field
Kresge is not the only Atlantic 10 coach receiving recognition.
George Mason's Vanessa Blair-Lewis and Fordham's Neil Harrow also earned places on the 20-person watch list.
According to the Atlantic 10 Conference, the award selection process extends beyond wins and losses.
Evaluators will consider recruiting, preseason expectations, injuries, tactical coaching and postseason performance.
The list will narrow to 10 coaches in January before five finalists are announced in March.
The winner is expected to be announced around the NCAA Final Four.
Importantly, preseason inclusion does not guarantee finalist status. Coaches who were not initially selected can also receive consideration later in the season.
## A New Challenge Awaits in Richmond
Despite her previous accomplishments, Kresge faces an important challenge in her first Atlantic 10 season.
Richmond was selected eighth in the conference's preseason poll.
The Spiders also enter the campaign with returning senior guard Ally Sweeney, who earned Preseason All-Atlantic 10 First Team recognition.
Sweeney averaged 10.5 points, 4.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds last season while leading the conference with 149 total assists.
Her experience could provide valuable stability as Richmond adjusts to a new coaching system.
However, translating Kresge's success at Vermont into immediate Atlantic 10 results will require consistent execution, player development and chemistry throughout the roster.
The preseason recognition acknowledges her coaching history. Her performance at Richmond will determine how far she advances in the award race.
## November Opens With Three Important Tests
Richmond begins its regular season Monday, November 2, traveling to Charlotte for a 7 p.m. matchup at Halton Arena.
The game is scheduled to stream on ESPN+.
The Spiders then return to the Robins Center for consecutive home contests.
Princeton visits Friday, November 6, at 6 p.m., followed by Rice on Sunday, November 8, at 2:30 p.m.
Those games will provide the first regular-season opportunities to evaluate Richmond's development under Kresge.
They will also offer local supporters an early look at the program's new direction.
## What This Means for Richmond Basketball
National recognition for a local college basketball coach brings additional attention to Central Virginia's growing women's basketball community.
For young athletes competing throughout Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and surrounding communities, established college programs provide visible examples of basketball development at the next level.
Kresge's arrival also reinforces the importance of coaching leadership in building sustainable programs.
Her accomplishments at Vermont demonstrate what consistent recruiting, player development and competitive preparation can produce over time.
Now, the challenge shifts to Richmond.
Before the Spiders have played a single regular-season game under their new coach, expectations are already rising. What happens next will be determined on the court.
## Sources
University of Richmond Athletics — October 29, 2026: https://richmondspiders.com/news/2026/10/29/womens-basketball-kresge-named-to-preseason-watch-list-for-kathy-delany-smith-mid-major-coach-of-the-year-award
Atlantic 10 Conference — October 29, 2026: https://atlantic10.com/news/2026/10/29/womens-basketball-harrow-blair-lewis-and-kresge-named-to-kathy-delaney-smith-mid-major-coach-of-the-year-award-preseason-watch-list.aspx
University of Richmond Athletics — Coaching hire, April 11, 2026: https://richmondspiders.com/news/2026/4/11/womens-basketball-richmond-hires-alisa-kresge-as-womens-basketball-head-coach
University of Richmond Athletics — Ally Sweeney preseason honors, October 19, 2026: https://richmondspiders.com/news/2026/10/19/womens-basketball-sweeney-named-to-preseason-all-atlantic-10-first-team
University of Richmond Athletics — 2026–27 women's basketball schedule: https://richmondspiders.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2026-27