SUNY Poly Athletics

Jessica Skelton enters her 18th year as the head women’s basketball coach at SUNY Poly. As head coach for the Wildcats, she has amassed a career record of 283-145 (.661) with a 169-65 conference record. Recently, Skelton’s Wildcats have had an incredible run, winning five Conference Championships in the last six seasons, leading to five appearances in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  

Last season the Wildcats won their first North Atlantic Conference Championship in their first season in the NAC. The team went 20-7 with a 12-1 record in conference play. Molly Burdick and Lyrik Jackson were voted to the NAC All-Conference First Team. Kierra Connor, Molly Burdick, and Lyrik Jackson were named to the NAC All-Tournament Team with Jackson also named Tournament MVP.  

In her career, Skelton has coached 33 All-Conference players, three Conference Player of the Year Award winners, one Conference Rookie of the Year, and Five Conference Tournament MVPs. Skelton has also helped two players, Tamara Williams (2010) and Khristaijah Jackson (2018), earn d3hoops.com All-Region Second Team awards.  

Since her hiring in 2004, Jess has coached She has also served previously as the head softball coach for seven seasons, the women’s soccer coach for two seasons, and the head coach of the women's cross country team for two seasons. 

As a softball coach, Skelton led her team to five straight NEAC Tournament Championship appearances. 

Skelton graduated from SUNY Poly (SUNYIT) in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business after transferring from Alfred State before her junior year.  She was a dual-sport student-athlete excelling in both basketball and softball.  She was a dominant guard for the Wildcats basketball, leading her squad in points, assists, and steals during her two seasons. She was a two-time SUNYAC All-Conference Team selection.  In addition, she took home two ECAC Player of the Week awards and two SUNYAC Player of the Week awards during her time in a Wildcat jersey. 

During her senior year, Skelton led the Wildcat softball team to a then program-best 20-20 overall record and the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletics Association (NYSWCAA) Championship, which was the first-ever postseason title for SUNYIT. Skelton finished her senior season with team-highs of 29 runs and 10 stolen bases with 35 hits, 16 RBI, four doubles, and a .297 batting average while starting all 40 SUNYT contests at the shortstop position.  She capped off that season by being named the team’s MVP and the Wildcats’ Female Student-Athlete of the Year. 

COACHING RECORD: 

2021-22: 20-7 (12-1 NAC) [NAC Champion – NCAA 1st Round] 

2020-21: Season canceled due to COVID-19 

2019-20: 20-8 (16-0 NEAC) [NEAC Champion – NCAA 1st Round] 

2018-19: 23-6 (15-1 NEAC) [NEAC Champion – NCAA 1st Round] 

2017-18: 21-7 (15-1 NEAC) [NEAC Runner-up] 

2016-17: 26-3 (17-1 NEAC) [NEAC Champions – NCAA 2nd Round] 

2015-16: 23-6 (17-1 NEAC) [NEAC Champions – NCAA 1st Round] 

2014-15: 18-8 (16-2 NEAC) [NEAC Semifinal] 

2013-14: 10-15 (8-8 NEAC)  

2012-13: 15-9 (13-4 NEAC) [NEAC Quarterfinal] 

2011-12: 22-5 (15-2 NEAC) [NEAC Runner-up] 

2010-11: 19-8 (16-6 NEAC) [NEAC Semifinal] 

2009-10: 19-8  

2008-09: 15-11 

2007-08: 14-12 (4-12 SUNYAC) 

2006-07: 10-15 (4-12 SUNYAC) 

2005-06: 8-17 (1-15 SUNYAC) 

Overall Coaching Record: 283-145 (.661) 

Conference Record: 169-65 (.722)