Thad Sankey is in his seventh season as University of Jamestown head women's basketball coach in 2025-26.
The 2024–25 season marked a transition year for the Jimmies as they returned to the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA). They opened their campaign with a wave of early momentum by putting together a string of impressive non-conference victories. Within NSAA play, the squad battled through a mix of tight losses and key wins and as the postseason approached, the Jimmies showcased their resilience.
Despite a narrow loss in the NSAA championship, Jamestown was rewarded with an at-large berth to the 2025 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship for the third straight season. Kate Cordes’ on-court excellence earned her national recognition as an NAIA Third-Team All-American, and NSAA All-Conference First Team.
The Jimmies excelled academically—earning 18th place on the 2024–25 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll with a team GPA of 3.617.
The 2023–24 Jimmies closed the season with a strong 19–13 (13-9 GPAC) record, showcasing a balanced offense and determined defense. At the core of their success were three statistical leaders:
- Audrey Rodakowski powered the interior with stellar efficiency, averaging 13.7 points on 50.8% shooting and pulling down 5.9 rebounds per game.
- Kia Tower manned the backcourt, contributing 13.8 points, 3.6 assists, and dependable free-throw shooting (.847), anchoring the team’s offensive orchestration.
- Kate Cordes emerged as the top scorer with 14.9 points per game and elite perimeter shooting, draining threes at a 40.5% clip, stretching defenses and opening up driving lanes.
Together, these three players' balanced scoring, efficient shooting, and versatile presence were instrumental in Jamestown’s campaign.
NAIA National Tournament – A National Stage
- First Round (at NAIA Regional Site): Jamestown bounced back from the GPAC quarterfinal loss to earn a spot in the 2024 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament. Their postseason journey began with a first-round victory over (RV) The Master’s (California).
- Second Round: Riding their opening win, the Jimmies advanced and pulled off an upset over #11 Lewis-Clark State.
- NAIA Round of 16: The string of accomplishments hit the national stage when Jamestown faced #1 Marian (IN) at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, concluding their run in the Sweet 16.
The Jimmies elevated their academic performance to a 3.755 cumulative GPA—ranking 8th in the NAIA’s WBCA Academic Top 25, reflecting continued excellence in the classroom and sustained team culture.
The 2022–23 University of Jamestown women’s basketball team delivered a season to remember, finishing with a 22–9 overall record and a strong 16–6 showing in the GPAC. The Jimmies showcased a balance of veteran leadership and emerging talent, earning an NAIA National Tournament bid.
Hannah DeMars’ efforts were rewarded with the title of GPAC Player of the Year, her third consecutive First-Team All-Conference selection, and recognition as a NAIA First-Team All-American.
The Jimmies’ season reached its crescendo in the NAIA National Tournament. In the opening round, Jamestown battled to a thrilling win over Indiana-South Bend, a game that showcased their resilience and composure under pressure. In the second round, they faced perennial contender Carroll College (Mont.), where despite a hard-fought effort, their season came to an end with a 73–60 loss.
The Jimmies went 15-11 overall and 12-10 in the GPAC in 2020-21, qualifying for the GPAC quarterfinals. Hannah DeMars was named an honorable mention All-American by the NAIA and the WBCA while earning GPAC first-team all-conference honors. Kia Tower was a second-team GPAC selection, and Noelle Josephson was honored as tri-Defensive Player of the Year. The Jimmies also earned WBCA NAIA Academic Team Honor Roll recognition.
In 2019-20, the Jimmies finished 16-15, including a 71-69 win over then No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan at home. Sankey notched his 100th career coaching victory with a 71-67 overtime win over Briar Cliff on January 15. DeMars and Tower were named GPAC honorable mention all-conference.
Sankey was named head coach on July 26, 2018, and led the Jimmies to a 14-16 overall record and 8-14 record in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Josephson was named GPAC Freshman of the Year and joined Jenna Doyle as honorable mention all-conference selections.
Before coming to Jamestown, Sankey spent the previoius five seasons as the head women's coach at Concordia (Mich.) University in Ann Arbor. He led the Cardinals to a 40-27 record over the past two seasons, including a runner-up finish in the 2017-18 NCCAA national championship game. The 2017-18 team received votes in four of six regular-season NAIA Coaches' Top 25 polls as well as the postseason poll. Since 2013-14, twelve of Sankey's players earned NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete honors, and his 2016-17 team was 21st in the WBCA Academic Top 25 with a 3.41 team grade point average.
Sankey graduated from Concordia (Neb.) in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and was a four-year varsity player for the Bulldogs, serving as team captain his final two seasons. Concordia was the NAIA Division II National Tournament runner-up in 2005, and made it to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II National Tournament in 2003.
Following graduation, Sankey was a graduate assistant men's basketball coach at Concordia during the 2006-07 season. He then worked at Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy in Broken Arrow, Okla., from 2007-2012, serving as assistant administrator, athletic director, junior high, and high school teacher.
Sankey returned to Concordia as the graduate assistant women's coach in 2012-13 and was a part of a Bulldog team that finished with a 25-7 record, including a 16-4 mark in GPAC play, and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.
Sankey earned his Master's Degree in Education Administration from Concordia (Neb.) in 2016. He and his wife Sarah have three sons, Eli, Micah, and Benjamin.
