Women's Basketball | September 21, 2014

Learn more about the Victory Scholars program | Koci's Victory Scholar Profile and Blog

PHILADELPHIA - Recent graduate and women's basketball player Jess Koci has been named a Victory Scholar, allowing her to continue her basketball playing career in Ireland while working toward her master of business degree at the Institute of Technology Carlow and working with disadvantaged and at-risk Irish youth through community outreach basketball programs.

The Victory Scholar program is overseen by the Sport Changes Life foundation, and considers applicants who graduated with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Koci graduated La Salle in May with a degree in Accounting, and has been working as an Inside Sales Representative at Alphabroder in Trevose, Pa., since that time.

"La Salle University has been a huge reason why I am part of the Victory Journey so far," Koci said. "The athletic department and coaching staff have been very supportive and encouraging of this program. I'm also really looking forward to traveling out of the country for the first time and meeting new people."

Koci was a four-year letterwinner for Head Coach Jeff Williams' program, earning Atlantic 10 All-Rookie status as a freshman after leading all A-10 rookies in rebounding. She battled injury through the remaining three seasons, but provided a defensive spark off the bench.

"I want to make the best of being able to play another year of basketball," Koci added. "I was injured a lot the past three years, so I'm really looking forward to getting back on the court and being able to play again after sitting out so long."

"I am very excited for Jess to have this opportunity," Williams said. "She is a tremendous kid and a hard worker, who has been such a leader for us over her four years. She has represented us, our program and La Salle University so well and she will be a tremendous asset to the Victory Scholar program. It is a program that fits really well with our Lasallian values."

The Primary Goal of the Sport Changes Life foundation is to provide an opportunity for young people on both sides of the Atlantic to live out their dreams and help guide them as Sport Changes their Life.  The prestigious Victory Scholarship Program is created for international student-athletes with an interest continuing their education at post-graduate level and continuing to play the sport they love in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

"Jess and the other Victory Scholars will help change the lives and strive to raise the aspirations of young people we work with in our local communities in Ireland," Gareth Maguire, director of the Victory Scholars program, said. "We offer one of the most unique masters programs that we have developed over the past six years with our founding partners the University of Ulster. Since then our university partners have evolved into a list of the most prestigious Universities in Ireland such as, NUI Galway, The University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin.

"Previous graduates of the Victory Scholarship have left a legacy with the young people and communities in Ireland," Maguire said. "We know Jess will continue that legacy."