Button Named Women's Basketball Coach

Taylor Button has been named the new head women's basketball coach at Alfred State. Button will begin her duties immediately and will replace the recently retired Gina Boyd. 

"We are thrilled that Taylor is joining our staff to lead our women's basketball program," stated Director of Athletics Jason Doviak. "Her background and experience in both coaching and social work have prepared her well for this role. Our student-athletes will benefit tremendously from Taylor's energy, passion, and work ethic. Her recruiting experience and local knowledge combined with her commitment to student-athlete wellbeing will allow her to be very successful in her new role."

"I want to thank Jason Doviak and the search committee for selecting me to lead the women's basketball program. It is a honor to follow in the footsteps of Coach Gina Boyd. I am excited to build on past successes and to put my mark on the program."

Button joins Alfred State after spending the past year as an assistant coach at Alfred University. Button worked with the Saxons with recruitment, practice and game preparation, and skill development. During the COVID shortened 2021 season, Alfred University advanced to the Empire 8 semifinals.
 
Prior to joining the staff at Alfred University, Button spent four seasons as the head coach for the Haverling High School JV squad with tremendous success. Her Lady Rams teams improved every year, going from 10-10 in her first season to a 14-6 record in her final season. She also coached AAU with the Bath Blaze, winning tournaments in 2017 and 2019. Button has also worked basketball camps at Houghton, Princeton, Penn State, Baptist Bible College, among many others.

Button was a standout basketball student-athlete at Jasper-Troupsburg High School. A four-year varsity letter winner, her teams appeared in the sectional championships every season, with a sectional title in 2009 and a semifinal appearance in the state tournament. She went on to play collegiately at Houghton College but suffered a career-ending injury. 

After her injury, Button joined the Highlander coaching staff and served as a student assistant from 2012-16. She broke down film, prepared practices and scouting reports, among other tasks. In the classroom, Button graduated from Houghton in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in Coaching and Communication, with a minor in Sports Ministry.

Button has also served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Belfast High School girls' basketball team from 2013-15, which made an appearance at the New York State Section V tournament. 

"I look forward to building a team that works hard on both sides of the ball and puts pressure on our opponents. The AMCC if full of competitive programs and I expect to build teams that will challenge for the top of the conference. The building process will begin on day one."