Derek RuncieHead CoachCoach Runcie will begin his first year as the head girls basketball coach and 5th grade teacher at St. Paul Public Schools in 2016-2017. Before coming to St. Paul, from 2012-2015, Coach Runcie was a Lead Assistant Men's Basketball coach at Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. While there, he helped lead the Royals to a Conference Championship and a National Tournament appearance.
During the summers, Coach Runcie spends time as a camp coach at the University of Nebraska, University of Wisconsin, and University of Iowa basketball camps. He also runs a select basketball program for all midwest high school boys and girls. Coach Runcie loves coaching the fundamentals of basketball and believes that youth being able to learn them is the foundation for their future success. Coach Runcie grew up from all over the United States and graduated from Hastings High School in Hastings, Nebraska in 2005. After high school, Coach Runcie received his Associate's Degree in General Studies from Nebraska Christian College where he played basketball for two seasons and earned ACCA First Team All-America honors. In 2012, he graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management. In 2016, he graduated from Grace University with his Master's degree in Elementary Education. Coach Runcie is married to his wife Lea Ann Runcie and they have a dog named Buster. |
Lea Ann RuncieAssistant CoachLea Ann enters her first season as a volunteer assistant for the St. Paul Girls Basketball team. Lea Ann brings a wealth of knowledge with her from her playing days in both high school and college. Lea Ann graduated from Minden High School in 2008, leaving there with many honors in basketball. In 2007 & 2008 she was named the MVP of the Southwest Conference as well as being honored as a 1st Team All-Conference player. Other accolades she received in basketball include Honorable Mention Class C-1 All-State in 2006, 2nd Team Class C-1 All-State in 2007, and 1st Team Class C-1 All-State in 2008. She was also named the All-Tribland Female Basketball Player of the Year and Kearney Hub Athlete of the Year in 2008.
After high school, Lea Ann committed to play college basketball at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. While at UNK, she was named an Honorable Mention selection for the Omaha World Herald Division II All-Nebraska Team. Lea Ann has spent many summers coaching youth basketball camps at Hastings College and UNK and is looking forward to working with the youth in St. Paul. Being a small town girl, she feels right at home coaching in St. Paul and is looking forward to the upcoming season. |