Sports Shape Applewhite's Career, Path to SLU
07/15/2020
Olivia Applewhite 's sports journey has taken her from Ohio to Denmark to St. Louis, where she now guides Billikens on their own paths to excellence, on and off the court.
Applewhite became an assistant coach on for the women’s basketball team in 2019, following a two-year stint as director of operations/video coordinator and a year as a graduate assistant. She earned a master’s degree in student personnel administration at SLU in 2018.
Applewhite played four years (2009-13) at the University of Dayton, graduating with a degree in public relations. The Flyers posted records of 97-30 overall and 46-10 in the Atlantic 10 and made four NCAA Championship appearances during her career.
“We had a successful run during my four years at Dayton and advanced to the NCAA tournament every season, something that is a goal of ours here at SLU,” Applewhite said.
Before joining SLU, Applewhite played three seasons of professional basketball overseas.
“I knew I wanted to play professionally for a few years, then ultimately come back to the United States and coach. That’s always been a dream of mine,” Applewhite said. “I could always remember the impact that my coaches had on me and I wanted to be that for someone else. I also believe that if you are doing something you love, then it is not a job.”
Applewhite said she values the impact of sports and athletics, both professionally and educationally.
“I learned my greatest life lessons through sports – working with others to achieve a common goal, being disciplined enough to complete a task, and most importantly a will to never quit or be outworked,” she said. “I learned all of this through sports and I use these principles in my daily life. Had I not been involved in athletics, I don’t think I would have been successful in the professional field.”
Applewhite said she tries to encourage SLU’s female student athletes to push towards their goals and to get them to understand that there’s nothing they can’t accomplish. Applewhite works primarily with the post position players.
“It has been extremely rewarding working with the students we have now, and I look forward to coaching the student athletes we’re bringing in,” she said. “They are hungry to grow and get better, and as coaches we couldn’t ask for more than that!”
“I think positive affirmations are so important in the growth and development of student athletes,” she continued. “Whether we are referring to achievements on the court or off the court, it goes a long way for students when they know someone believes in them and I plan to continue to do that.”
Seeing one of her player’s grow and develop over the course of a season is Applewhite’s best Billiken moment to date.
“My proudest moment was seeing one of our players win the Most Improved Player of the Year Award in the conference,” said. “I was proud because I saw all the hard work this player put in during the off season to get better. I worked with her and saw first-hand her improvement and to see the rest of the league recognize her efforts made me beyond proud.”
Learn More About Women's Basketball at SLU
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of now more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.
Story by Amelia Flood and Maggie Rotermund, University Marketing and Communications