Pitt-Bradford senior women's basketball player Alicia Kimmel was recently featured in an article on D3hoops.com. Kimmel talks to reporter Brian Lester about how she almost walked away from the game of basketball, and how Panther head coach Patrick Daniel influenced her to not only stick it out, but also gave her the desire to explore the possibility of becoming a coach herself someday.

Read the story below or click here to see the article featured on D3hoops.com.

WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH, STICK IT OUT

Alicia Kimmel almost slammed the door shut on college basketball, set to walk away from Pitt-Bradford and not look back.

That was during her freshman year when the Panthers were struggling, when they finished the season 11-15, 9-9 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

“I almost stopped playing,” Kimmel said. “I was ready to transfer to a bigger school and just get my degree.”

Fate has a funny way of working things out and Kimmel’s mind changed when a new coach came on board. Patrick Daniel was hired to take the helm of the Panthers prior to the start of the 2012-13 season.

Kimmel actually helped pick the new coach. She was the only student-athlete on the selection committee.

“My mind changed about leaving once I met him,” Kimmel said. “He has a lot of passion for the game and loves being a coach. It’s great playing for him. I’m definitely glad I stayed.”

Kimmel has thrived with the Panthers, who entered the week at 14-6, 11-3. The junior forward led the team in scoring as a sophomore (16.5 points per game) and junior (14.1) and is the Panthers’ leading scorer again this year, clicking for 15.8 points per outing. She also averages 6.6 rebounds per game and has tallied 34 assists and 32 steals.

Kimmel will more than likely be an All-AMCC selection for the third consecutive season. She was a first-team pick as a sophomore and a second-team selection last year.

Added confidence has fueled her success. So has experience.

“I’m playing like a senior should play and I’m doing my best to be a leader,” Kimmel said. “Coach talked to me before the season about just playing my game and not feeling any pressure. So far, it’s worked out pretty well.”

Kimmel is one of only two seniors on the roster. Her value to the Panthers doesn’t come with a price tag.

“She is a great leader on and off the court,” Daniel said. “She plays with passion, with effort and is having a great year. That is a credit to the work she has put in to make herself a better player.”

Kimmel’s story goes beyond statistics, beyond big shots and beyond all-conference accolades.

She is a student-athlete who loves giving back to the community. Kimmel has spent time doing activities such as painting and karaoke with senior citizens, she has done work with the Salvation Army and has participated in bowling events for Special Olympics.

In December, she was named one of 93 finalists across the country for the 2015 Allstate Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Good Works Team.

Kimmel is honored to be recognized for her efforts, but she doesn’t do it for the attention. She does it because it adds to her all-around experience as a Division III student-athlete.

One of her most enjoyable ways to give back is a basketball clinic the Panthers do for special needs children each year.

“It’s organized chaos,” Kimmel said with a laugh. “We have so much fun and the kids love it. At the end of it, we take a picture with them. It’s a neat thing to be a part of.”

Another neat experience is on the horizon for Kimmel this spring at the NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four in Tampa. Kimmel was one of 50 players selected to be a part of the WBCA’s “So You Want To Be A Coach” program.

Kimmel admits she never thought about being a coach until Daniel came around. He served as her inspiration and she hopes to one day be a college coach.

“Coach Daniel asked me if I was interested in applying for the program,” Kimmel said. “I never thought I would be selected. I was completely shocked. It’s going to be an awesome experience.”

For now, the focus is on the season. Daniel is looking forward to seeing what his team can accomplish.

“We’ve had a good year and have really gelled as a team,” Daniel said. “We have some big games left and have to focus on us. We have to be ready to play our game.”

Kimmel is thankful she never slammed the door shut on basketball three years ago because it’s opened up so many other doors in her life.

“Things have gone even better than expected,” Kimmel said. “I’m happy here and I’ve had a great time playing. I’ve also met friends that I will have for the rest of my life.”