After nearly two decades at the helm, Dominican High School girls basketball coach Kevin Schramka has officially stepped down, marking the end of an era for the Knights. The announcement came in a school news release on April 29, closing a chapter that saw Schramka lead the program to unprecedented heights.
Schramka's tenure, spanning 18 seasons, included a remarkable 307-140 record and two historic state tournament appearances—the only two in program history. The Knights first punched their ticket to the WIAA Division 3 state semifinals in 2011, and later returned in 2022, cementing Schramka's legacy as a program builder.
But the story doesn't end there. Stepping into the head coaching role is Déysha Smith-Jenkins, a former Dominican star who knows the program inside and out. A standout player for the Knights in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Smith-Jenkins has spent the last nine seasons as an assistant under Schramka, learning the ropes from one of the best.
Smith-Jenkins is no stranger to big moments. She scored a game-high 21 points, grabbed five rebounds, and added three steals in Dominican's 62-56 loss to Kewaunee during that historic 2011 state semifinal—the program's first trip to the big stage. Her athletic resume extends well beyond basketball: as a track star, she won five individual state titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, set the D2 state record in the 200, and graduated as Dominican's all-time leader in points, rebounds, and blocked shots, alongside school records in the 100, 200, and 400 meters.
Smith-Jenkins also brings collegiate experience, having played for the University of Connecticut, a program synonymous with excellence. Now, she's ready to pass that knowledge on to a new generation.
"My mission as a coach is to build student-athletes who excel academically and athletically, and one day return to uplift the very alma mater that molded them, just like I did," Smith-Jenkins said in the release. "Because I believe greatness isn't just about what you achieve, it's about what you give back, and the legacy you leave."
The Knights are in good hands. With a rich tradition to uphold and a coach who embodies that legacy, Dominican's future on the hardwood looks bright.