Another Incredible Win for Washington: Talisha Washington Named SLIAC Coach of the Year for Second Time

Congratulations to head women’s basketball coach Talisha Washington ’13, who was named Coach of the Year for the second time by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC)!

A release issued by the conference on Feb. 26 highlighted Washington’s accomplishments during the 2025 basketball season, which include the following:

• Leading the Blue Jays to a 17-1 conference record.
• Coaching the team to win a share of the regular season title for the first time since 2016.
• Guiding the Blue Jays to the top overall seed in the women’s basketball tournament.
• Leading the team through a 15-game winning streak through the postseason.
• Reaching an overall team record of 20-5.

Washington’s award took place just as one of her top players, senior Annette Ramirez, made conference headlines as SLIAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year for the third time. Ramirez is the second in history to achieve such a feat. Meanwhile, another remarkable player on Washington’s roster, Lauren Jones, was named 2025 Freshman of the Year.

Derek Zander, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, says both student-athletes were encouraged to achieve greatness through Washington’s coaching style, which is both competitive and supportive.

“I’m so proud of our women’s basketball team and the success they have garnered both on and off the court,” Zander says. “One of Coach Washington’s greatest attributes is her ability to allow her team to be themselves on the court. Watching them compete inside Historic Gymnasium is something our campus community will remember for years to come.”

Just as Zander describes, Washington is quick to think of her team first, citing their extreme dedication and hard work as the primary reason for her recent award.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group to lead. This season was about every player stepping up, supporting one another and fully committing to the process,” Washington reflects, adding that the assistant coaches also deserve credit. “We built this team together, and this award belongs to them just as much as it does to me. I’m incredibly proud of this group, who have etched their names into program history.”

Read about Washington’s first SLIAC Coach of the Year Award here, and learn more about how she became a true leader on and off the court here.