Jody Adams, Wichita State’s women’s basketball head coach, began her journey in Tennessee. However, entering her sixth season at WSU, she has made the Midwest her home.

“I have embraced Wichita,” Adams said. “It’s nice to be in a place that appreciates you and allows you to be yourself.”

Adams came to WSU by way of Cleveland—Tennessee, that is. After high school, she earned a human performance degree from Tennessee University, while playing college ball.

During her time on the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, coached by Pat Summitt, Adams was awarded the sixth player award and was on the 1991 national champion team.

Adams was a two-year starter at point guard for the Lady Vols. She achieved much success during her college career including trips to numerous championships.

She played on the 1990-93 Southeastern Conference championship team, the 1991 NCAA Mideast Regional All-Tournament Team and the SEC All-Academic Team in 1991 and 1992. Additionally, she was a 1993 Preseason All-American.

In 1995, after graduation, Adams transitioned from student athlete to leader as the assistant coach at Tennessee. However, she soon moved to Auburn and then to Minnesota where she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator until 2001.

Change had been the norm for Adams until she moved to WSU in 2007. In fact, in 2001 she moved from Minnesota to UMKC until 2004. Two more moves to Southern Illinois and Murray State preceded her time at WSU.

Over time however, the moving and hard work paid off. Adams was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the KBCA Coach of the year in 2012-2013.

“I think Jody is successful at WSU because success is what her foundation is built on,” Holly Warlick, Adams’s friend and Tennessee head coach, said.

Success is indeed what the Lady Shockers have found under Adams’ leadership.

Since she arrived, the Wichita State Women’s Basketball Team has made their first ever NCAA tournament appearance, become the first Wichita State Women’s team to win the Missouri Valley Tournament championship and set the longest winning streak at 10 wins.

Additionally, the team has made four consecutive post-season appearances. They have also beaten the school record for single season victories with 24.

With a 92-71 record at WSU and a 116-79 record overall, Adams is familiar with success. But perhaps it’s the difference she has inspired on the home court which stands out the most.

In the 2009-10 season, with 14 wins, Adams set the record for most home wins. She is also credited with signing the first two nationally-ranked classes in WSU history.

During that time, she has coached six all-conference players.

“I discuss different roles with the players and what’s best for the team,” Adams said. “Regardless of a player’s role, it all starts by doing the little things correctly.”

While, she has a long list of credentials, Adams interests go beyond the basketball court. An ardent supporter of cancer awareness and research, she participates each year in the Champions for a Cause motorcycle ride. LSU head coach, Nikki Caldwell, and Warlick of Tennessee join her annually.

She also takes part in raising awareness on campus and in the community.