Photographs of successful basketball coaches wallpaper her
petite office, each adorned with messages and autographs. Among the
memorable sports leaders include Keith Sampson, Bob Huggins and
Bobby Knight. And although the pictures may overwhelm a visitor’s
eye upon entering, the most important snapshots of Saint Louis
University’s women’s basketball coach, Jill Pizzotti, are those
that sit closest to her–portraits of her “close-knit” family.

Originally form Chicago, Ill., Pizzotti’s mom, dad, sisters and
“four wonderful nieces” still reside in the Chicago area.
Pizzotti’s parents are loyal SLU basketball fans and are constant
supporters, seen in the bleachers at every women’s basketball home
stand. Her sisters and nieces attend games whenever possible.

“What each of us experiences, we share with the family,”
Pizzotti said.

Pizzotti came to SLU nine years ago after serving as the
assistant coach of Indiana University’s women’s basketball team for
three years.

Several factors impacted Pizzotti’s decision to move to the
Gateway City and coach at SLU, including “the emphasis on
academics, the fact that it was in the Midwest and close to Chicago
and then an opportunity to coach in one of the toughest leagues in
the country,” Pizzotti said.

“The idea of rebuilding a program was attractive to me,” she
recalled.

Nine years later, her idealistic mentality has proven itself
both on the court and in the classroom.

In just her second season at SLU, Pizzotti coached the Billikens
to a 10-8 record, making it the first season since 1987-1988 that
the Bills hit double digits in the win column. Success of the
Bills’ basketball team spread quickly throughout campus. During the
2001-2002 season, the women’s basketball program set a record by
averaging 802 fans a game. The top 10 biggest Billiken home crowds
have all occurred during Pizzotti’s tenure.

Perhaps the most prestigious recognition and memorable moment of
Pizzotti’s coaching career occurred in 2003 when the Bills earned
the program’s first postseason tournament bid to the WNIT.

Pizzotti’s high expectations for her athletes are not only
confined to the court, but also in the classrooms. Considering she
graduated from college with the highest student-athlete grade point
average, this comes as no surprise. In 1989, Pizzotti received
bachelor of science degrees in mathematics and physical education,
and in 1991, earned a master’s degree in secondary education
administration.

During her tenure at SLU, every women’s basketball student who
has enrolled in the University has also graduated.

Despite last season’s accomplishments, Pizzotti recognizes the
team will encounter inevitable obstacles this year. “We have to get
some young guards to mature in a hurry,” Pizzotti said, since the
team is only returning two guards.

She also remarked that the team members are additionally
motivated because they have a “[desire] to make it to the
postseason again.”

Pizzotti’s reputation as an incredible coach who motivates her
players is apparent in the advice she gives to her players on a
daily basis.

“If you work hard every day, and give it all you [have], then
however it falls out, it falls out.”