Ugofsky leading Coyotes on and off the court

Jeniah Ugofsky’s life as a student-athlete is distinctive for the way the things she commits herself to tend to focus on making the lives of others better.

The way basketball is set up, unselfishness is relatively easy to see in some instances and more difficult in others. On the court, it’s easy. Rebound, play defense, pass the ball. Off the court, understanding what it means to be a good teammate is less clearly defined but just as important.

Ugofsky is a 5-10 senior for the South Dakota women’s basketball team whose career comes in two parts. In the first part, she didn’t play too often because she was backing up some of the best players the Coyotes have ever had. In the second part – that would be this year – she’s a starter and, like several others on the team, being asked to do new things.

In her time at USD she has also become a leader, organizer and spokesperson for all student-athletes on campus as president of USD’s student-athlete advisory committee. In this case, well-aimed energy has resulted in significant accomplishments.

“The motivation behind it is that I just want to create change or help out wherever I can,” she said. “My parents have always been really active in my life, which I'm very thankful for and very blessed for. They've always encouraged me to also try to take that leadership role if I see something that I want to happen. Go for it and fight for it.”

The former Harrisburg, S.D., star committed to the Coyotes when she was a sophomore in high school. First-year Coyote head coach Kayla Karius, most recently an assistant at Drake, was an assistant for Dawn Plitzuweit at USD back then and figured in Ugofsky’s decision to become a Coyote. In Karius’ absence, the Harrisburg Tiger finished up her high school career and served in a support role at USD through her first three college seasons. She remembered good experiences during the recruiting process with Karius – then Kayla Tetschlag – as did a few of her current Coyote teammates.   

“When she walked into our locker room and we learned who our head coach was going to be, I was smiling from ear-to-ear,” Ugofsky said. “She has not been a disappointment to me or any of my teammates at all. She expects the best out of us – I don’t think I could ask for a better senior year. It’s not traditional to have a new coach and a bunch of transfers but it’s a great scene. It’s a great group of people and I’m really excited to see what we can do.”

The Coyotes, who begin Summit League play this week, continue to sort out the best way to win basketball games with a roster that looks a lot different than it did last year. They’re not a finished product by any stretch. It’s a process that needs senior leadership and positive attitudes.

“Jeniah is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached,” Karius said. “She has a great mentality about her where she never quits on a play. When we recruited her we knew we were getting someone who knew how to win. She was going to be a blue-collar tough kid who sets good screens and rebounds and communicates with her teammates – all the intangibles you need to get your team to win. That’s why we recruited her. All of those things have proven to be true.”

Ugofsky has started all 11 games this year, averaging 18 minutes for a team that has 10 players averaging 13 or more. 

Her career arc at USD is unique. In an era when players have more latitude than ever before in seeking playing time somewhere else, Ugofsky is a refreshing example of school loyalty. 

Part of the reason is because USD wasn’t just getting a basketball player and a student, they were getting someone enthusiastic about becoming a fully engaged member of the USD community. 

Ugofsky, a psychology major, is devoting a lot of effort in her role with the SAAC to athletes and their mental health. It’s an issue where she wants to make things happen. She wants to go for it and fight for it.

“USD is doing a great job to support all of the athletes and their mental health,” she said. “But nationwide it’s an epidemic.”

Ugofsky has dealt with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) herself and has known other athletes and loved ones who are also dealing with mental health issues. 

“For a while I didn't know who to turn to,” she said. “Being an athlete, I always thought I can't show my weaknesses. But a lot of my coaches and a lot of the resources we have here at USD made me think it’s OK – that this can be normal. That really opened me up to a whole new side. After college I really want to become a counselor specifically for athletes and help guide them into understanding that.”

Typically, athletes tend to initially deny or ignore issues with mental health. They want to treat the problem like they would deal with fatigue in a game or a nagging injury during the season. It’s time to dig deep and tough it out, right? 

“Sometimes we need to tap out and say we need help,” she said. “I think that a lot of universities like USD are doing a great job of responding to those situations and taking care of their athletes. I want to be part of that.”

Those who know her well want her to be a part of that, too. To hear her coach tell it, whenever you have someone like Ugofsky on your side, you’re going to be better off.

“She has the kind of personality where she is always willing to help people,” Karius said. “I’m really proud of the way she’s overcome her own adversity here and become a leader in addressing mental health issues for athletes. I’m also proud of the way she’s gone from playing a few minutes a game to really anchoring our defense. What she is doing is important for our season but can also be important for years to come in the lives of a lot of people.”