Alfred University Women's Basketball

  Hired at AU: January of 2024 Prior to AU:  Assistant Stable Manager/Riding Instructor at University of Amherst Alma Mater: University of Maine Orono '00 Teresa Oliver was hired as the assistant coach and instructor of the Alfred University hunt seat equestrian team in January of 2024. In the fall of 2024, she took on the additional role of Head Dressage Coach.   Oliver currently assists in coaching multiple practices per week with Alfred University for students of varying levels in the hunt seat discipline. Oliver is additionally responsible for teaching courses in English riding 1 and 2, fundamentals of equine husbandry, and Introduction to equine behavior. She recently completed the certification program as an equine specialist through EAGALA. During the 2024-25 season, the Alfred University dressage equestrian team sent its first rider to the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) National Championships, sending Chester Mikkelson. As a sophomore, Mikkelson fnished fourth in the nation, earning a composite score of 64.8% during their test on the horse, Waldo, competing in Individual Upper Training.    Prior to AU, Oliver’s equestrian background included work as an assistant stable manager and riding instructor at the University of Amherst Massachusetts from 2000 to 2003. While there, Oliver assisted in various farm management tasks involving the care and management of 40 horses. In this role, Oliver supervised a team of working students, conducted intermediate riding lessons, and assisted with research, breeding, breaking, and training programs, and helped with the IHSA hunt seat and IDA Dressage teams.   Following this, Oliver worked as a professional groom for the O’Connor Equestrian Olympic event team from 2003 to 2004. Oliver then spent a year from 2004 to 2005 as a working student for Dressage trainer Gunnar Ostergaard, followed by 6 months as a groom and exercise rider for an Olympic combined driving competitor Jimmy Fairclough from 2006 to 2010, Oliver was a “freelance worker”, providing equestrian services as a groom, riding instructor, and trainer, assisting various dressage and eventing competitors in Ocala and Sarasota, Florida.   Oliver graduated from the University of Maine Orono with her bachelor's degree in animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine in May of 2000. More recently in December of 2022, Oliver received her master's degree in public health Practice with a national board certification in public health (CPH). In 2018 she achieved a black belt in Brazilian jujitsu. In addition, Oliver has more than 15 years experience working as a certified personal trainer, health coach, and licensed massage therapist.   IDA National Championship Riders: 1  

  Hired at AU: October of 2021 Prior to AU: Stable Manager/Riding Instructor at the Madeira School Alma Mater: University of Findlay '17 Theresa Lounsberry was hired as the head coach of the Alfred University hunt seat team in October of 2021.  Lounsberry is currently in charge of planning and managing multiple practices per week with Alfred University for students of varying levels in the hunt seat discipline. Shattan is additionally responsible for teaching courses that vary from english riding 1-5 to equine professional grooming. During the 2025-26 season, the Alfred University hunt seat team sent Maggie Childs '27 to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships. Childs competed in the Cacchione Cup, earning Honorable Mention recognition.  Prior to AU, Lounsberry spent just over two years as a stable manager, riding instructor and teaching assistant at the Madeira School. While there, Shattan was responsible for 34 boarder and school horses along with over 40 students per athletic season.  Before her time at the Madeira School, Lounsberry was hired as a riding instructor at the Adsit Training Center in Montpelier, Virginia from 2017-18. While there, she was in charge of instructing and coaching up to 10 students who obtained multiple championships. Lounsberry previously graduated from the University of Findlay with her bachelor's degree in english equestrian studies in May of 2017. Two years later, Lounsberry received her master's degree in education.   IHSA National Championship Riders: 1

  Hired at AU: June of 2024 Prior to AU: Head Western Equestrian Coach at Albion College (2018-2024) Interim Hunt Seat Coach at Albion College (2021-2022) Owner of Empire Performance Horses in Albion, MI (2009-Present) Head Western Equestrian Coach at Cazenovia College (2013-2018) Assistant Western Equestrian Coach at Cazenovia College (2011-2013) Assistant Trainer at Showstring in Oneco, CT (2010) Graduate Assistant/Assistant Coach at University of Findlay (2009-2011) Assistant Trainer at Showstop Farm in Whitesboro, TX (2007-2008) Professional Groom at Shallowbrook Farm in Stillwater, NJ (2006-2007) Alma Mater: MBA - University of Findlay '11 BS - University of Findlay '09   D'Agostino was hired at Alfred University in the summer of 2024 as the Director of Equestrian/Head Western Coach. D'Agostino leads all aspects of the operations and staffing at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at Maris Cuneo Equine Park. In addition, he directs the Equine Business Management program. During the 2024-25 season, D'Agostino led a pair of Saxons to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships in Ally Dann '25 and Samantha Smit '26. Dann placed eighth in the nation in Individual Ranch Riding, while Smit claimed 11th in the nation in Individual II Horsemanship. As part of the IHSA National Championships, D'Agostino was honored with the 2025 IHSA Western Coaches' Sportsmanship Award.  In the 2025-26 season, the Alfred University western equestrian team returned to the IHSA National Championships, finishing in 10th place in the nation. The Saxons were represented by seven riders, as Smit earned fifth place in the nation in National Reining Horse Association (NHRA) Open Reining.   D'Agostino spent the last six years with Albion College as the Head Western Coach. With the Britons, D'Agostino led the training and development of student-athletes in preparation for Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) competition. D'Agostino was responsible for the recruitment of student-athletes, which involved hosting events on campus. During his time with Albion, D'Agostino developed student leadership programs and created events to engage with the local community. At the 2024 IHSA Western National Championships, D'Agostino's coached his Albion riders to six Top-10 finishes with a highlight of an IHSA National Champion in Beginner Western Horsemanship. In 2023, he coached the IHSA Individual National Champion in Level II Western Horsemanship and his team finished seventh overall for the Western Team's premiere appearance in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Trophy Team National's competition.   Before his time at Albion, D'Agostino served as an associate lecturer, adjunct professor and head western coach at Cazenovia College (NY). In 2017, he coached an IHSA National Champion in Open Reigning and his team was an IHSA Nationals AQHA Trophy Team as they finished in eighth place.   D'Agostino also judges several open shows throughout the United States.   D'Agostino spent 15 years as the Owner of Empire Performance Horses in Albion, MI, where he oversaw the training of horses for AQHA, NSBA, APHA, ApHC, PtHA and PHBA competition. He was additionally responsible for judging local horse shows and offering clinics to youth and adult amateur competitors. D'Agostino earned his Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Organizational Leadership and two Bachelor of Science degrees in Western Equine Studies and Equine Business Management at the University of Findlay (OH).   IHSA National Championship Riders: 9

Hired at AU: Fall of 2022 Alma Mater: Alfred University '06 Samantha Salmon joined the Alfred University women's basketball staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2022-23 season.  Salmon has a rich history with Alfred University, graduating with her bachelor's degree in early elementary education and sociology in 2006. One year later, Salmon received her master's in literacy with AU.  Salmon has nearly a decade of coaching experience outside of Alfred University, serving as the girls modified basketball coach in Hornell for five years. Salmon additionally spent time as the YMCA Biddy basketball coach for four years.  Aside from coaching, Salmon has enjoyed time as a first grade teacher at North Hornell Elementary. 

Jessa Miller was introduced as an assistant coach for the women's basketball team prior to the 2024-25 season.  Prior to AU, Miller enjoyed a successful playing career at Daemen College, where she walked on, earned a scholarship, and was named an Academic All-American and team captain. Miller additionally refereed in Section V for women’s high school basketball for multiple years. Miller is already familiar with Alfred University, currently serving as an Academic Success Coach, working primarily with International students. Prior to being employed at AU, she worked as a Physical Therapist in Allegany County for over 20 years.  Miller grew up in nearby Cuba, NY and currently resides in Alfred Station with her wife Dawn Burdick and three kids.   

Ashley Wyant joined the Alfred University Equestrian Department as the Assistant Western Equestrian Coach as well as an Equestrian Instructor and Trainer in August of 2024. Wyant currently is the owner/operator of Clover Street Farms in Lillian, AL since 2012. While owning Clover Street Farms, she held multiple positions across the Eastern United States. From 2021 until late in 2022, Wyant as an Assistant Trainer for Mayabb Show Horses in Ocala, FL, assisting in training horses to perform specific tasks, such as horsemanship, western pleasure, trail, showmanship, hunter under saddle and equitation. Prior to that, in Albany, GA, Wyant was a Horse Show Assistant at JH Performance Horses from October of 2017 until December of 2020.   Wyant graduated from the University of Findlay in 2008, earning her Bachelor of Science in Western Equestrian. Shortly upon graduation, she was an Assistant Trainer for Showstring in Oneco, CT from January 2010 to January of 2011, just prior to her owning of Clover Street Farms.   Wyant has helped lead riders and horses to high placings in Quarter Horse events, including Quarter Horse Congress and the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Show. She has worked with World Caliber Quarter Horse Trainers from all around the country while being a part of multiple teams that have led their customers to World Show titles and Congress Championships. Wyant has also scribed for American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Judges during live events.

Alyssa DiMillo '25, a four-year member and two-year captain of the women’s basketball program at Alfred University, was named the women's basketball graduate assistant prior to the 2025-26 season. DiMillo earned Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year recognition following the 2022-23 season. She received multiple department awards during her tenure, including the 2024 SAAC Alfy Award and the 2025 Unsung Hero Alfy Award. She was also the AU women’s basketball team’s Ideal Saxon Award winner following the 2023-24 and the 2024-25 seasons. DiMillo was also involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as an SAAC member for three years and holding e-board positions as treasurer and secretary for two years. DiMillo has prior coaching experience as an assistant coach for XGen Elite’s ninth grade girls team in the spring of 2022, as the head coach of the Jamesville-DeWitt Running Rebels fifth/sixth grade team in 2019-20, and as a volunteer coach for the Unified Basketball Team at Liverpool High School. During her undergraduate studies, DiMillo completed internships with both Syracuse University Athletics and the Syracuse Spartans of the New York Collegiate Baseball League as a sports marketing intern.