The University of Akron Athletics
Jodi Kest and Rachel Tecca Recognized at Annual Dapper Dan Banquet
February 16 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio -- University of Akron women's basketball head coach Jodi Kest and senior forward Rachel Tecca were honored by The Dapper Dan Club of Akron at its annual banquet Sunday evening.
The event was held at Guy's Party Center in Akron. Kest received the William Falor Career Achievement Award, while Tecca (Archbishop Hoban High School) was presented with the Alumni Award.
Now in her eighth season at Akron, Kest has been coaching collegiate women's basketball for 30 years, and has been a head coach for the last 22 seasons. She was named conference Coach of the Year at three different institutions, including UA in 2010.
During her tenure as a head coach, Kest has mentored a Division II Kodak All-American, Academic All-American and Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, in addition to multiple all-conference selections. She has amassed over 330 victories as a head coach, and is the all-time winningest coach in the history of Akron women's basketball. In 2013, Kest led the Zips to their first MAC East Division championship and appearance in the league title game.
Prior to her time at Akron, Kest held head coaching positions at Wilkes University, Gannon University and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and has spent time as an assistant coach at Maine, Cleveland State, Nevada and Cal Poly throughout her career. A student-athlete herself, Kest was a two-sport standout in basketball and tennis at Slippery Rock University, where she was recognized as a two-time All-American before graduating in 1984 and is now a member of their Hall of Fame.
Tecca has become the face of Akron women's basketball over the last five years. She was the first player in program history to be named Mid-American Conference Sixth Player of the Year as a freshman in 2010. After suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2011, Tecca returned to the court to break Akron's single-season scoring record and earn the title of MAC Player of the Year, also the first Zip ever to receive the honor.
The Tallmadge, Ohio native is currently Akron's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, and recently became just the second player in MAC history to surpass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She received the distinction of Academic All-American, and is pursuing her MBA after receiving a bachelor's degree in marketing management.
Kest and Tecca return to the court this week as the Zips will be playing for their ninth-straight win on Wednesday night. UA is set to host Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena.
