With the winter sports season approaching, I had the opportunity to sit down with the head coach of the women’s basketball team, Laura Pierce. Coach Pierce is entering her fourth season as the head coach for the Falcons.
Prior to her time here at Fitchburg State University, she was an assistant coach at Wheaton College, where she also played. According to Wheaton’s website Coach Pierce ranks third all time in assists with 424, she is also sixth in three pointers made, with 121.

When asked why she chose FSU she told me she wanted the opportunity to “build and mold a program.” She went on to tell me her favorite part of coaching is “Seeing the progress over time” and watching players grow not only on the court, but as students and people as well.

When asked what advice she has for student athletes she started by telling me “your sport is so much more than the wins and losses” and that “playing a sport at any level, especially the college level teaches you life skills that you can use throughout the real world.” She then went on to emphasize the importance of the relationships you make with your teammates and coaches throughout your journey.

As the Falcons women’s basketball team prepares for the start of their season, Coach Pierce tells me their goal for this season is to “grow and build on what we have done so far” She also told me the team has many returning players for this upcoming season, including a large junior class. Aside from the returners, they also have gained a few transfer students on their roster.

While talking about the upcoming season Coach Pierce also told me “Our first week of practice there’s been a really great energy” and a “really great vibe” and being able to translate that into games is another goal they have. With only a couple more weeks until their season begins the Falcons will look to get off to a hot start as they will host Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Women’s basketball team.