6/23/22
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Lackawanna College Athletics Department is pleased to announce that Monica Spence has been named as the next head women's basketball coach at Lackawanna College. Spence's first year in charge of the program will be for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
 
"I'm super excited for this opportunity," said Spence, who came to Lackawanna College as an assistant coach last season. "I appreciate everyone who trusted in me and I can't wait to experience my first year as a head coach at Lackawanna College."
 
"I am excited to have Monica here as Head Women's Basketball coach," said Erik Larson, Director of Athletics at Lackawanna College. "I believe Monica will continue to build on the proud women's basketball championship traditions here at Lackawanna College."  
 
Spence, a Wilkes-Barre native and GAR Memorial HS graduate, joined the Falcons program in September 2021 as an assistant coach under previous head coach Joya Whittington. Spence helped guide the Falcons to double-digit wins and the fourth seed in the Region XIX tournament this past season.
 
Spence came to Lackawanna College after spending time as a local AAU girls basketball coach, and a basketball coach with the Stars and Stripes Semi-Pro team in the ABA. Spence has earned a Medical Assistant Technician degree from Fortis Institute, and has worked in AAU basketball and local fitness instruction in Northeast PA.
 
"This past season as the assistant coach has very well prepared me for this (head coaching) position," said Spence. "I had a great head coach (Whittington) before me, showing me all the ins and outs as a coach, and the importance of this specific role."
 
Spence graduated from GAR Memorial HS in Wilkes-Barre in 2008, and, after losing both her sophomore and junior years to ACL injuries, she was a major part of the Grenadiers making the District championship and the PIAA state playoffs her senior season. Spence averaged over ten points per game as a senior at GAR, earning an All-Region All-Star nod, and also participating in the Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star game that year.
 
"Her (Monica's) love for Lackawanna College, along with her commitment and passion for the game is a winning combination," said Larson. "It will strengthen our basketball program and support our efforts to ensure student success, both in athletics and academics."
 
The Falcons are expected to lose a significant number of players from last year's squad, due to graduation, but Spence has been spearheading the recruiting efforts for the Falcons to prepare for the upcoming year, which will tip-off in November 2022.
 
"I expect to improve every athlete's skill level each season, by focusing on both the physical and mental aspects of the game," said Spence. "Lackawanna College has a great women's basketball program, and the goal is to keep it successful.
 
"I have faith that this will be a great upcoming season."