Portfolio
Annalee Bollinger,
Head Coach, William Peace University Women’s Basketball

When we look at Annalee Bollinger’s journey in basketball coaching, we find passion, determination, and commitment to the sport. 

“I got this urge to coach women’s basketball at the college level very early,” she shares, and since that day, she has given her all to make this goal a reality.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Bollinger joined the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She reflects on this experience, stating, “Joining the WBCA helped me build solid connections that laid the foundation for my coaching career.” 

Bollinger began her journey working as a graduate assistant at Averett University. “That position significantly helped me hone my skills and gain practical experience,” she notes. After completing her master’s, she spent three years as an assistant coach at Brevard College. 

Her familiarity with the USA South Athletic Conference, where William Peace University competes, “put me in the spotlight as a potential head coach,” she explains. And that is how she ended up in her current role, “The head coach of the WPU women’s basketball team, a dream come true,” she says.

William Peace University attracted Bollinger for several reasons. Its convenient location and vibrant, student-friendly environment made recruitment and growth very easy for her. Another key feature that drew her was the broad university community and strong support from the administration of WPU, which made her decision an easy one. 

She firmly believes, “Success follows naturally in places like WPU, where there is unwavering support because support is needed to make any program successful.”

Bollinger focuses on building solid relationships with her athletes both on and off the court. “I proudly call myself a ‘player’s coach,'” she states. Her coaching philosophy revolves around transforming student-athletes into well-rounded individuals and building long-lasting bonds with them. 

She emphasizes the importance of excelling as students, competing with integrity, and adhering to team values. In her leadership role, Bollinger is focused on integrating the university’s tradition of strong bonds with its students into the women’s basketball program and is determined to create an environment centered around development and support.

Bollinger has high ambitions for her team’s future. “I am passionate about developing a culture within the team that speaks for itself both on and off the court,” she says. Her goal is to see her players giving back to the community, excelling in their studies, and playing basketball at higher-level competitions. Bollinger recruits student-athletes very carefully, ensuring that they embody all the values we uphold. She is determined to create a program that is efficient, effective, and delivers exceptional results.

Her strong bond with her players and passion for basketball motivate her to be a coach. “Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to have influential mentors, and this fantastic mentorship is what I wish to pass on,” she shares. She feels immense pride when she sees her players “graduating and achieving in their chosen fields,” knowing that she “played a part in shaping their future,” which makes her feel “satisfied and accomplished.”

Looking ahead, Bollinger envisions a WPU women’s basketball team that “is more like a close family thriving both in class and on the court.” She hopes the team will be “known for their love for the sport and be a joy for people to watch, a matter of pride for the university.” For Bollinger, “Coaching at William Peace University is a dream come true. I couldn’t be happier and more grateful for the opportunity to lead and transform the women’s basketball program into something massive and special.”