Welcome Recruits

  
We are excited about your interest in Florida Gulf Coast University Women's Basketball. The Eagles are building for the future under seventh-year head coach Karl Smesko. The Eagles have made three consecutive postseason tournament appearances under Smesko, including a 2007 Division II Runner-Up and a trip to the 2008 WNIT. Click HERE to take a look at why you should choose FGCU

Women's Basketball Recruiting Form

Why Choose FGCU

This Is FGCU Basketball

What People Are Saying About Coach Karl Smesko 

“The attributes that I've always believed in as a coach are the very qualities I admire and have observed in Coach Smesko. Teaching the game with simplicity, getting the most out of the talent at hand, motivating players to be fearless and unselfish and imparting what is really important in basketball and life are bedrocks to his program. Simply put, if I had a daughter I'd be thrilled to have her play for FGCU and Coach Smesko."

Jack Bennett
Former Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Wisconsin-Stevens Point
2 men’s NCAA DIII National Championships

“Coach Smesko teaches you to focus on being the best you can be by wanting things done correctly. He is a master at organizing what needs to be done to the last detail.”

Leo Miller
Member of the Massachusetts and New England Basketball Hall's of Fame

“ I loved their games…they play the game the way it is supposed to be played and I enjoyed it.”

Larry Bird
Member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Three-time NBA Champion and NBA MVP, One of the 50 Greatest Players in the NBA

“Karl is an excellent coach. He is probably one of the best teachers of the ‘motion offense’ I know. If you don’t put a lot of preparation into a game against Coach Smesko, you are going to lose.”

Nancy Winstel
Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Northern Kentucky University
2 NCAA DII Championships, 500-plus career wins

“Karl is one of the true gentlemen in the game. On top of being one of the best X and O coaches I have ever had the pleasure to coach against in my 29 years as a head collegiate coach, Karl is known throughout the coaching ranks as a straight shooter of whom his word is his bond. Karl's coaching abilities raise the bar for all who coach against him.”

Craig Roden
Head Women's Basketball Coach
The University of West Georgia

“I would not hesitate to place Karl Smesko as one of the best coaches in the country, period. He does such a remarkable job of teaching the game and getting every ounce of maximum potential out of his teams that is physically and mentally possible. He is a true tactician. I will readily admit he has made us a better program and me a better coach for the opportunity to play against his teams.”

Kiley Hill
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Valdosta State University
123 wins in 8 seasons at Valdosta

Karl Smesko is one of the best teachers of motion offense that I have ever coached against. Playing his teams was a coaches’ nightmare.

David Smith
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Bellarmine University
500 + career wins