Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- Phone:
- 330-672-8498
A fixture of the Kent State women’s basketball program for more than a decade, former Golden Flashes standout Alexa Golden enters her seventh season as an assistant coach and also serves as the recruiting coordinator.
Since joining the program as a student-athlete for the 2015-16 season, Golden has been part of teams that have totaled five postseason tournament appearances, four 20-win campaigns, two Mid-American Conference East Division titles and one MAC Tournament championship.
One of the fastest-rising coaches in women’s college basketball, Golden was recognized by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as a Thirty Under 30 honoree in 2026. Most notably, she has developed wings Katie Shumate and Jenna Batsch, who both played professionally overseas following standout collegiate careers. The only four-time All-MAC selection in Kent State history, Shumate ranks in the top five in program history for both points and rebounds and added All-Defensive Team and MAC Tournament MVP honors as a senior. After scoring just 125 points over her first two seasons as a Flash, Batsch was one of the most improved players in the conference as a junior and then scored the seventh most points in a season in school history as a senior.
Golden filled three different roles on Kent State’s staff during her first 20 months after putting on the blue and gold for the final time. Hired as a graduate assistant immediately upon graduation, she was promoted to the director of operations position in December 2019 and was promoted again to assistant coach in September 2020. She added recruiting coordinator responsibilities prior to the 2023-24 season.
Known as a selfless and gritty player, Golden concluded her career on the hardwood as the only player in Kent State women's basketball history to total 500 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 200 steals and 100 three-point field goals. She was voted as the Golden Flashes’ Most Valuable Player following her senior season after playing a vital role in a 20-win campaign that included the program’s first ever Postseason WNIT victory. Golden was selected to the MAC All-Defensive Team as a senior and finished 19th in the nation in steals (91) and 24th in steals per game (2.76).
She was also highly decorated for her successes outside of the gym. Golden was nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year award following her senior year, which honors graduating female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. She was also presented with the Judith K. Devine Excellence in Leadership Award, which recognizes a Kent State senior student-athlete who exhibits leadership in all facets of a student-athlete's life, including team, department, collegial unit and community.
Golden is a two-time graduate of Kent State University, earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice in December 2017 and a master’s in sports and recreation management in May 2019. She was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
