Elsebeth Birman was an assistant women's basketball coach for five years and concluded her service to SU in May, 2022. This bio now exists as a historical reference.
Former DII standout Elsebeth Birman is in the midst of her fifth year on the Hornets staff and her second as the squad's lead assistant.
Birman, who played for two years each at the University of the Sciences (Pa.) and the University of Bridgeport (Conn.), came to Shenandoah in the fall of 2016 after serving as an assistant coach for the Montgomery County (Md.) girl's basketball team.
In July, 2019, she was promoted by head coach Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft to the full-time assistant position after three years in a part-time role. In March, 2021, Birman was selected as the Division III Assistant Coach of the Year by the WBCA.
Birman, who earned All-Academic team honors in all four years of college and graduated Magna Cum Laude, got her coaching start with the Germantown (Pa.) Lady Panthers in 2009.Â
She has worked with that organization since 2009, eventually serving as the commissioner of the grass roots program (fourth through eighth grades) in 2015-16. During this time, she also was a graduate assistant at the University of the Sciences for two years after completing her undergraduate studies in 2013.
In her senior year, Birman started all 27 games for the Devils and was second in minutes per game at 32.7 while averaging 10.7 points and 3.7 assists per contest.
Birman has also been involved in the Chinese Youth Club (CYC) non-profit organization since 2001. With the CYC, she participated in volleyball and basketball as well as traditional Chinese lion dance. Currently, she is a member of the CYC Board of Directors and serves as the director of community engagement.Â
She also serves the department as a member of the Hornets RED team on racial equality and diversity.
Birman is involved in all aspects of the SU program.
