Sandburg Alumna McKenna Weaver Named Chargers Women’s Basketball Coach
Aaron Frey
Thursday, July 9, 2020 3:25 PM
Campus News, Athletics
Galesburg, IL
McKenna Weaver, an assistant for the Carl Sandburg College women’s basketball team the past two seasons and an alumna of the program, has been named the new head coach of the Chargers.
Weaver, a 2016 Sandburg graduate, takes over for her former coach, Mike Bailey, who stepped down in March to move into an academic advising role with the College. Weaver had also served as interim coach since Bailey’s departure.
“I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity to pursue this career, following the best mentor I could have asked for in Coach Bailey,” Weaver said. “Sandburg has always been home to me, both athletically and professionally, from the forever friends I had as teammates to the wonderful faculty and staff, who are always so helpful. I’m so excited to help student-athletes find a similar ‘home’ feeling and all the experiences that come with being a Carl Sandburg Charger, all while developing their athletic and academic careers.”
A native of Bartonville and graduate of Limestone High School, Weaver put together one of the most decorated careers of any athlete in Sandburg history during her two seasons with the Chargers from 2014-16. Weaver was a five-time All-Arrowhead Conference selection, earning the honor for each sport season in which she played (twice in volleyball, twice in basketball and in 2015 for softball). She also was voted to the All-Region IV team both seasons in volleyball and basketball. As a sophomore during the 2015-16 season, Weaver helped the Chargers women’s basketball team to its first national ranking since the start of the 2008-09 season and Sandburg’s first Arrowhead Conference title since 2008.
After graduating from Sandburg, Weaver transferred to Culver-Stockton College, where she earned a bachelor’s in sports management in 2018. She graduated with her Master of Science in sports management from Western Illinois University this spring. Weaver joined Bailey’s staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2018-19 season.
Weaver inherits a Chargers team that finished 13-16 overall last season and was second in the Arrowhead Conference with a 6-2 mark. Sandburg returns five players from last season’s roster.
McKenna Weaver (left) talks to Carl Sandburg College freshman Destiny Allen during the Chargers’ win over Illinois Valley on Feb. 13 at John M. Lewis Gymnasium. Weaver, an assistant for the Chargers the past two seasons and a Sandburg alumna, has been named the program’s new head coach.