University of Massachusets Athletics
Women's Basketball
Klopfer, Val
Val Klopfer
- Title:
- Director of Player Development
Valerie Klopfer enters her first season as the program's director of player development. The former Wake Forest guard brings over 23 years of Division I coaching experience to Amherst.
"Surrounding our players with great people is always a priority" stated Leflar. "I have known Val for over 20-years, and I am excited to welcome her to our staff. I watched her coach, mentor, and develop players into becoming their best time and time again. I really look forward to Val influencing our program."
Klopfer joins the Maroon and White following one year as an assistant coach at UAlbany, having spent the previous 21 seasons with the Cornell Big Red. As the Associate Head Coach for the women's basketball program, she helped oversee all aspects of the program including but not limited to guard and forward play and other individual aspects of game and practice preparations. During her time with the Big Red, she aided in the development of a program that won its first-ever Ivy League Championship (2007-08) and earned its first 20-win season, first NCAA appearance, and the most conference wins in school history (11).
In addition to her responsibilities on the court, Klopfer was Cornell's Recruiting Coordinator. In that position, she helped recruit several successful student-athletes for the Big Red including Big Red Hall of Fame honoree, Jeomi Maduka. A student-athlete who graduated in 2009, Maduka was the first women's basketball player in program history to earn All-American and Ivy League Player of the Year. She was the only student-athlete to earn a unanimous First Team All-Ivy League selection her senior year. Entering the Big Red's Hall of Fame in 2019, Maduka was just the fifth player in program history to earn 1000 points, 500 rebounds, and 100 steals.Â
A native of Albany, N.Y., Klopfer graduated from Wake Forest with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2002 -- serving as a team captain of the women's basketball program for the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.
"Our program to a great step forward this past season and with our core group returning we have Championship goals" Leflar continued. "We still have a lot to learn, and there will be challenges to overcome, but I know adding Val's experience will help our team reach our potential."
"Surrounding our players with great people is always a priority" stated Leflar. "I have known Val for over 20-years, and I am excited to welcome her to our staff. I watched her coach, mentor, and develop players into becoming their best time and time again. I really look forward to Val influencing our program."
Klopfer joins the Maroon and White following one year as an assistant coach at UAlbany, having spent the previous 21 seasons with the Cornell Big Red. As the Associate Head Coach for the women's basketball program, she helped oversee all aspects of the program including but not limited to guard and forward play and other individual aspects of game and practice preparations. During her time with the Big Red, she aided in the development of a program that won its first-ever Ivy League Championship (2007-08) and earned its first 20-win season, first NCAA appearance, and the most conference wins in school history (11).
In addition to her responsibilities on the court, Klopfer was Cornell's Recruiting Coordinator. In that position, she helped recruit several successful student-athletes for the Big Red including Big Red Hall of Fame honoree, Jeomi Maduka. A student-athlete who graduated in 2009, Maduka was the first women's basketball player in program history to earn All-American and Ivy League Player of the Year. She was the only student-athlete to earn a unanimous First Team All-Ivy League selection her senior year. Entering the Big Red's Hall of Fame in 2019, Maduka was just the fifth player in program history to earn 1000 points, 500 rebounds, and 100 steals.Â
A native of Albany, N.Y., Klopfer graduated from Wake Forest with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2002 -- serving as a team captain of the women's basketball program for the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.
"Our program to a great step forward this past season and with our core group returning we have Championship goals" Leflar continued. "We still have a lot to learn, and there will be challenges to overcome, but I know adding Val's experience will help our team reach our potential."
UMass WBB | Highlights vs Stonehill | 03.20.25
Thursday, March 20
UMass WBB | Postgame Press Conference vs Stonehill | 03.20.25
Thursday, March 20
UMass WBB | Press Conference vs. URI | 2.23.25
Sunday, February 23
UMass Women's Basketball | Press Conference vs. Loyola Chicago | 2.19.25
Wednesday, February 19
