Misty Opat brings 20-plus years of collegiate coaching experience to the Chicago State women’s basketball after being hired as the program’s 10th head coach in its Division I era on August 7, 2018.
Opat comes to CSU most recently from Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill., where she spent 10 seasons as head women’s basketball coach and athletic director. She led her team to capture four of the last seven National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III National Championships and seven consecutive North Central Community College Conference (N4C) titles over her nine seasons in Rockford.
Opat received Spalding NJCAA D-III National Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2017, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Coach of the Year six times, the Region IV Coach of the Year seven times, the District 2 Coach of the Year five times, and the Coach of the NJCAA D-III National Tournament four times while at RVC.
Prior to RVC, Opat had posted seven years of NCAA Division I experience which includes assisting the University of Kansas to two Big 12 Conference championships and two NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances from 1995-98 followed by stints at UIC (1999-2002) and Fresno State (1998-99).
"I'm thrilled to be joining Chicago State University as head coach of the women's basketball team, which is a hidden gem in an incredible basketball city," Opat says. "I have always focused equally on the athletic achievements and academic accomplishments of student athletes, and CSU's shared commitment to those goals makes this program an ideal fit. I'm proud to lead this team of incredible women to victory."
Opat earned an Associate of Science degree from Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan., where she was a two-year team captain in basketball and was named to the all-conference and all-region teams in both of her seasons. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., where she earned NAIA All-American honors as a player. Opat then went on to obtain a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan.
Opat currently resides in Rockford with her three nieces, Makenzie, April, and Theresa, and son, Davion.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH OPAT:
"Coach Opat has all of the intangibles of a winning coach! She truly cares about her players on and off the field and wants the absolute best for them! I was successful because I had coaches in my corner that took a genuine interest in guiding and directing me. Coach Opat was a direct part of my success. She knows the game! She's a proven winner!"
Tamecka Dixon
Retired 12-year WNBA Player (Los Angeles Sparks, Houston Comets, Indiana Fever)
3-time WNBA All-Star
"Congratulations to Misty on her position at Chicago State University as Head Women's Basketball Coach. Over the years I have watched her accomplish extraordinary endeavors as a coach and as a wonderful woman. She cares for your family and players while working the long hours required in coaching. Her passion for teaching is reflected in the spirit of her teams and all those around her. It has been a privilege and honor to recognize her achievements and to call her a friend."
Marian E. Washington
Former Head Women's Basketball Coach
University of Kansas
"Chicago State is getting an absolute champion in every sense of the word to lead their women's basketball program. In almost twenty years of college athletics I've seen very few people who have been able set, maintain and model a standard of excellence like Misty Opat. She has had amazing levels of success on the court as evidenced by the national championship rings but, as importantly, has used athletics to transform the lives of hundreds of student-athletes. This is home run hire by any measure for the Cougars!"
Kevin Vest
Athletic Director
Waubonsee Community College
