There’s a new chapter brewing for Eau Claire Memorial girls basketball—and it comes with a familiar last name that’s already etched into Old Abe lore.
Just last year, Cooper Jesperson wrapped up a legendary high school career on the court and the diamond, earning Leader-Telegram Senior Male Athlete of the Year honors before heading to Kansas State for baseball. Now, it’s his father’s turn to make history.
Jason Jesperson has been named the new head coach of the Memorial girls basketball program, the school announced Thursday. It’s a homecoming of sorts for the veteran coach, who has deep roots in the Eau Claire basketball community.
“Jason is well respected by his coaching colleagues and brings tremendous passion for developing players,” Memorial Athletic Director Travis Hedtke said in a statement. “His experience and ability to build relationships will have a positive impact on our girls basketball program.”
Jesperson’s resume is loaded with hardwood experience. Most recently, he served as a varsity assistant for the Memorial boys team from 2023-25, helping guide the Old Abes to two conference titles and a regional championship in 2025—while coaching his son along the way.
But his coaching roots run much deeper. Jesperson spent time at UW-Eau Claire (2011-12), directed and coached for the Wisconsin Playmakers AAU program (2006-16), and was heavily involved with the Eau Claire Eagles Basketball organization from 2018-24 as both a coach and board member.
He also knows what it takes to compete at the next level, having played college basketball at Mayville State University in North Dakota from 1995-98.
Jesperson takes over a program that’s been on a steady rise. The Old Abes spent the last 13 seasons under Brandon Fanning, who left last month for the coaching job at UW-Eau Claire. Fanning led Memorial to Big Rivers Conference titles in 2016 and 2025, three regional crowns, and a sectional finals appearance in 2025.
This past season, Memorial fell in the regional finals—a tough break after losing star sophomore Norah Kling to injury in early February. Kling, a future UW-Green Bay guard, will be a key piece if she returns in late December as hoped.
While the Old Abes lose five seniors to graduation, Jesperson inherits a talented core featuring Ava Hoitomt, Ava McCarthy, and Evelyn Bast. With a strong foundation and a coach who knows how to build relationships, Memorial’s future looks bright.
Get ready, Old Abe Nation—the Jesperson legacy is just getting started.