Coach Leah

Leah Szabla

  • Alma Mater: University of North Dakota (2017)
  • College Sport: Basketball
  • Accomplishments: 1,000-point scorer, Unsung Hero Award recipient, 2014 and 2017 Big Sky Champion, 2-time team captain, 4-year starting point guard
  • Additional Education: Master's Degree from Black Hills State (2019)
  • Favorite Part of Being a Coach at Crown: "I cherish the opportunity to walk with our student-athletes through such a transformative time in their lives. It is truly a blessing to serve this incredible group of young ladies.”
  • Favorite Bible Verse: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary;they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
  • Twitter Handle: @Coachszabs 

    Leah Szabla is entering her 2nd season at the helm of the women’s basketball program in 2022. In the 2021-2022 season, Crown Basketball showed tremendous improvement and set the foundation for a very bright future. They etched their most wins in over four seasons, recorded school records, and hoisted multiple Upper Midwest Athletic Conference awards. The 2021-2022 season is highlighted by: a first-ever victory over St. Scholastica, a sweep of conference foe, Northland College, and a trip to the Conference Tournament. Two players, McKenzie Latzke and Dominque Urbina accomplished UMAC all-conference awards, set game records of points in a game, and field goals made. They are heading into the 2022-2023 season with excitement and expectation!

    Prior to her time as Head Coach of the Polars, she served as an assistant coach at UMAC opponent, North Central University. During her time at NCU, the team won their first UMAC championship in school history. Szabla was a key piece to their success, as she oversaw their defensive efforts. She also served as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services. Szabla spent the 2019-2020 season as the Recruiting Coordinator at Wayne State College. She coached three Northern Sun All-Conference players and a Division II All-American. Szabla first began coaching at Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference powerhouse, Black Hill State University. She was a Graduate-Assistant from 2017-2019, where she oversaw their player development and recruiting strategies. The 2017-2018 season was historic, as they received an at-large bid to the NCAA DII tournament. Her coaching career has been marked by elite culture-building, leadership development, recruiting efforts, and strategy. 

    Szabla’s playing career at the University of North Dakota was nothing-short of impressive. She competed at the Division I level in the Big Sky Conference. She was an instrumental member of two championship seasons and a 4-year starter. She was a two-time team captain, 1,000-point scorer, and UND Athletics Unsung Hero recipient. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of North Dakota (2017) and her master’s degree in Strategic Leadership (2019) from Black Hills State University.

    Szabla resides in Chaska, MN. She also serves as a coach for a local girls AAU program: Metro Stars.