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New coach bringing enthusiasm to Huskies
 Media Credit: Leslie Andres Jason Lesteberg, SCSU women’s hockey head coach, is in his first season with the team this year. Lesteberg replaced Kerry Brodt-Wethington.
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On Oct. 12, the SCSU women's hockey team officially begins a new era under the reigns of new head coach Jason Lesteberg.
Lesteberg, a native of Burnsville, comes into the 2002-03 season after a short stint at Bemidji State University, where he coached the Beavers to an 12-13-8 overall record last season–the Beavers most successful season in their young history.
Under Lesteberg, the Beavers also received a bid to the WCHA Final Five. He was nominated as a finalist for the NCAA Division I Coach of the Year and he led Bemidji State to a school record eight-game unbeaten streak during his short tenure there.
BSU set six single-season team records during the 2001-02 campaign, including team winning percentage (.485), goals scored (135), power-play goals (30), assists (138) and goals-against average (3.09).
Before becoming the head coach at BSU, Lesteberg served as women's hockey head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the 2000-01 season. He led the Pointers to a 13-13-1 record in their inaugural season of women's hockey competition. He was named NCHA Coach of the Year in 2001 and was again nominated for Coach of the Year honors in NCAA Division III.
Most coaches know how to play the game, and some have actual experience playing the game. Lesteberg is both. His resume includes playing for Gustavus Adolphus College, where he was named first-team All-American, a College Hockey Player of the Year Finalist, NCAA Division III Player of the Year Finalist, Conference Player of the Year, two-time first team All-Conference and two-time conference player scoring champion.
To say he knows the game of hockey is an understatement.
Lesteberg is looking to transform the Huskies into a prominent team. It won't be very easy with some very good women's hockey teams lurking just around the corner.
"This program has great potential, and the facilities and players are treated well," Lesteberg said. "I want to build off that and build this team up to national notoriety, much like how our men's team has grown."
Lesteberg also wants to create a memorable experience for his athletes.
"I think everyone has a fresh attitude this season," he said. "Some of the players on the team were here when they won 17 games, so they know how to go out there, have fun and win."
Lesterberg wants his players to grow academically, athletically and as people during their time with the team.
The players also have a positive outlook towards Lesteberg. Junior captain Kobi Kawamoto is one player that is looking forward to playing for him.
"He's a really good coach," Kawamoto said. "He's laying down all the groundwork to help us this year, and he's doing it (during the preseason) when it counts."
Freshmen defenseman Kelly Stewart is also happy with Lesteberg's efforts thus far.
"He's great," she said. "He's really big on discipline, and that is definitely one thing that's helping us so far."
Lesteberg himself is happy to be at SCSU.
"This year will be exciting as we begin to climb to where we belong in the conference, and in the nation, which is on top of everybody else."
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