Rohde hits 300 wins

GREEN BAY – On Wednesday Feb. 5, Notre Dame Academy’s girls basketball coach Sara Rohde coached her 300th win as the girls defeated Ashwaubenon 75-49. This latest accomplishment adds to a long list of both Rhode’s and NDA’s athletic achievements.

Before coaching at NDA, Rohde graduated from UW-Green Bay in 2003. During her time at UW-Green Bay, she was labeled as a standout player for the nationally ranked Phoenix women’s basketball team. Additionally, Rohde is a member of the Green Bay Phoenix’s 1,000-point club, banking 1,115 points throughout her basketball career as a Phoenix.

After graduating, she became an assistant coach for the women’s team alongside Kevin Borseth. After two years of coaching, Rohde traveled overseas and by 2009, Rohde came back to resume her teaching and coaching career. As she got back into things, Rohde began with coaching the eighth grade boys at Parkview Middle School, as well as fifth grade boys for Ashwaubenon.

Continuing her coaching journey, the following year she was hired as the JV girls basketball coach at Notre Dame Academy. By 2011, Rohde took over as the NDA varsity coach for the girls as previous coach Bill Farrell stepped down. Since then, Rohde has been sharing her hardwork and dedication with the NDA athletes.

Outside of coaching basketball, Rohde has been a teacher for 14 years. She currently works as the Talented and Gifted Resource teacher for the De Pere School District, grades 5-12. When she is not teaching in the classroom, on the court, or coaching her three kids, Rohde enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, yoga and basketball.

Throughout her career at Notre Dame, Rohde has coached her way through six State championships and 300 wins.

Notre Dame Academy Athletic Director Matt Koenig explained that the school is very appreciative to have such a talented coach because of the influences she brings not only to her team, but also the school.

“Her influence is beyond the basketball court because they’re all really good students. They all do well in the classroom. She emphasizes the academic component, she’s academic to the heart, she emphasizes the hard work,” said Koenig. “She just wants to win and she wants our girls to grow and become good young women after they graduate from high school, and she hasn’t lost focus of that.”

Notre Dame Academy posted on their social media that since 1990, NDA’s girls varsity basketball teams have achieved a total of 628 wins. Coach Rohde holds almost half of those wins with her most recent accomplishment. Rohde explained that, “Personally, it’s a reflection of showing up every day, putting in the work, and staying committed through the good times and/or the times that may not be easy. Professionally, it reminds me of the countless relationships and a lot of amazing memories and lessons learned. It also means being able to maintain a standard of excellence over time.”

Moving forward, Rohde strives to continue to set high standards for girls basketball in surrounding areas, but also throughout the state of Winsconsin.

“There are many ways to be impactful in the game of basketball. I would like [my players] to feel proud of the work they put in on and off the court to be strong, young ladies,” said Rhode. She explained that she looks forward to coaching her daughters and the many future Tritons she will one day coach whether it be through girls or boys basketball.

“It’s definitely a pleasure to work with her, because she does have that passion for being successful and she has a competitive mentality that you know a lot of our programs at Notre Dame do. She really is a good role model for female student athletes in our building,” said Koenig. Koenig and the NDA athletic department are currently working on a gift for Rohde to celebrate her most recent accomplishment.