Women's Basketball Head Coach
Vonnie Killmer enters her fourth season on the bench for the Saginaw Valley State women’s basketball program. Coach Killmer is looking forward to this upcoming season as a chance to breakthrough in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. During her first two seasons at SVSU the team has compiled an overall record of 23-57. The team’s goals this season will revolve around improving every game and pushing the tempo whenever possible. Killmer’s style features an up-tempo game with emphasis on turning defense into transition points on offense.
Vonnie Killmer was named head coach of the Saginaw Valley State University women’s basketball program in July of 2004. Prior to her appointment at University Center, Killmer served Saginaw Arthur Hill High School as athletic director (since 2000) and girls’ varsity basketball coach (since 1992). Killmer’s teams were 195-21 in her last ten years including a state runner-up finish in 1998. Killmer served as a teacher for Saginaw Public Schools from 1995-2000 before taking over as Arthur Hill’s athletic director. Killmer is already familiar with her surroundings at SVSU, having spent the 1991-92 season as an assistant coach under Claudette Charney.
Killmer brings extensive knowledge and experience to the Cardinal program. She played on three state championship teams for Carrollton High School. In addition she was an all-state selection three years in a row and was a high school all-american as a senior. Killmer went on the play basketball at the University of Notre Dame for two seasons before transferring to the University of Michigan for her final two seasons. In each of her final two collegiate seasons, Killmer broke the school record for assists in a single season and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. She was also elected team captain for her junior and senior seasons playing for the Wolverines.
Killmer earned a bachelor’s degree from U-of-M in sports management and communications in 1988. She is currently involved with several professional organizations, including Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, Michigan High School Coaches Association, National High School Coaches Assocation and Women’s Basketball Coaches Assocation.
Coach Killmer resides in Saginaw with her daughters, Kacy and Riley.
