In the realm of women's basketball, Sarah Jenkins stands as a towering figure, not just for her coaching prowess but for her infectious laughter, boundless love, and commitment to building relationships. For those who know her, Jenkins is more than just a coach; she's a beacon of joy, a catalyst for love, and a maestro of fun.

The first thing I think of when Coach Jenkins is laughter," remarked Tara Cousins, senior guard hailing from Washington, D.C. "Our team matches her personality. We take that love, that energy out on the floor with each other and off the court as well.

D'Nay Daniels, a member of Jenkins' staff serving as the director of women's basketball operations, echoed this sentiment.

She just exudes love. She's always about hugging people, caring for people, making sure everyone is being better for themselves and others.

We want every person that interacts with our program, you want them to feel loved and to feel that they are important and feel like they matter," said Jenkins. "That's something that we preach every day; that is the focus of our culture and what we do. But we have a lot of fun – I keep telling you I'm really funny.

Jenkins took her coaching staff out to the softball field, surprising them with an unexpected team-building exercise. Her motive was simple – to inject a dose of fun into their routine and let them experience the camaraderie beyond the basketball court. And with Jenkins' infectious personality paired with her need to build strong relationships and community, head softball coach Jen Steele and her coaching staff welcomed the crazy idea. 

I had this idea in mind of going out there doing those softball drills," said Jenkins. "I knew I was going to be terrible at it but I wanted them to be a lot worse than they were.

In another playful move, Jenkins had her basketball team practice a dance routine for Hoopla, an event that introduces both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams to the UD community ahead of the season. Paired up with UD's dance team, the sight of the team mastering dance moves showcased a different side of their coach, one openly willing to step outside the traditional boundaries of coaching to build stronger connections.

She knows her limitations; she's not going to be up-front-center solo, but she also does want to be seen," Cousins added. "She says that she reviews the tape and she practices so she is very serious about getting it right – but she does know her limitations.

"I think I get on their nerves sometimes because I always want to hang out," Jenkins confessed with a chuckle.

Her emphasis on building a close-knit community goes beyond the basketball court, transcending the conventional player-coach relationship.

"We are a dysfunctional family, but it's all love at the end of the day," added Daniels, capturing the essence of the unique bond that Jenkins fosters within her team.

Jenkins, with her laughter, love, and penchant for fun, is proving that basketball is not just a game; it's a platform for building lasting relationships, embracing joy, and creating a community that extends far beyond the confines of the court. As she continues to redefine the coaching narrative, Jenkins is a testament to the idea that success in sports is not solely measured by victories but also by the laughter shared, the love exchanged, and the fun had along the way.

Jenkins and her Blue Hen squad is set to play hosts to Lehigh tonight at 7 p.m. inside Bob Carpenter Center and the game will be broadcast simultaneously on FloHoops and Delmarva Sports Network.

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