Loadman living the dream at Bethel Park
Samantha Loadman imagined what coaching the Bethel Park girls basketball team would be like ever since her playing days. She never dreamed the fantasy would become a reality, however, with Jonna Burke holding the job.
A Bethel Park and Pitt product, Burke owned a 360-107 record since assuming the head coaching duties in 2003. She won a WPIAL championship in 2013 and coached in three other title games. All her teams qualified for the WPIAL playoffs and she guided the Black Hawks to 14 district semifinal appearances.
Burke also has a sophomore daughter, Logan, who is projected to be on the 2021-22 roster.
So when Loadman received the news Burke resigned Sept. 28 to become the new head coach at Shady Side Academy, she said she was taken off guard.
“Jonna is such a phenomenal coach so when I got a phone call asking me ‘did I hear?’ I said ‘I have no idea what you are talking about,” Loadman said.
“It was such a shock. My head started spinning,” she added. “At that moment there were a lot of questions because this completely caught me off guard. I knew deep down though that I was throwing my hat into the ring because in the back of my mind, this was always what I wanted to do. It was time.”
Loadman was recently named as Burke’s successor at their alma mater where she spent most of her playing time as a point guard. She set the school record for assists, scored 1,300 career points and led the Hawks to three section titles and state quarterfinal playoff appearances in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
“I think my playing experiences help me see the game in a different way,” said Loadman, who had a 95-18 record as a player at Bethel Park. “I know the mental state of players, especially in a close game. Whether a favorite or an underdog, I know how they are thinking and what’s in their head because I have been there before. That helps build trust with the players and if they know that you were in their shoes too that helps them believe in you as well.”
Loadman earned All-PSAC West honors at Mercyhurst College. For the past five years, she has worked in risk management at PNC Bank.
“I deal in technology,” she said. “I like that aspect because technology is all around us. It’s a growing field and great for young female professionals.”
Loadman started coaching as a volunteer assistant on Burke’s staff in 2011-12 before moving on to Chatham University. She returned to the scholastic ranks honing her skills for seven seasons under the watchful eye of Bert Kendall at Peters Township High School. When Kendall resigned, Loadman remained at Peters as an assistant to Bob Miles.
“Experience is the greatest teacher,” Loadman said. “Every place I have been has prepared me to be where I am right now. Every step of the way, I have picked up a lot of information and learned valuable lessons, ways to do drills and communicate with players.”
Loadman said she learned the most from Burke.
“Jonna has had one of the biggest impacts on my career,” Loadman said. “I learned valuable lessons from her as a player and a coach, especially how to communicate with the kids and put them in situations to succeed.”
Loadman intends to be her own person on the bench and not a clone of her mentor.
“I have big shoes to fill from the previous coach but I plan to implement my own style and build upon the great tradition that is Bethel Park basketball,” she said. “The foundations is there. The kid are fantastic. Keeping the winning tradition and the girls excited to play are my primary goals.”
Loadman said the Hawks have the building blocks to have a strong season this winter. Eventually, she would loved to replicate what she helped create at Peters Township. During her tenure under Kendall, the Indians won WPIAL and PIAA titles in 2018 en route to compiling a 30-0 record.
“Coaching at Peters was a blast. We had phenomenal leadership from our seniors,” Loadman said. “They commanded and demanded respect and they bought into what the coaching staff was doing.
“It’s a progression to get to that point and all I expect of my players is that they show up every day and compete. Whether in practices or games, I want them to give their best effort.”
Loadman is prepared to provide her best, too.
“It seems so surreal,” she said. “I’ve come full circle. This feels right. I’m ready. I told the girls when I first met them that I wished I could remove my mask because then they could see how big I am smiling. I’m beyond thrilled.”