ORONO (NEWS CENTER Maine) — This season, the UMaine men's basketball team has a coach on the sidelines who is breaking barriers in the sport.
Assistant coach Edniesha Curry is the only woman who currently holds a full-time coaching position in NCAA D1 mens basketball.
Coach Curry and the team's head coach Richard Barron started working together, coaching the UMaine women's team, in 2015. When Coach Barron was hired in 2018 to coach the men's team, he says it was a no-brainer to bring Curry along with him.
"We judge people on their merits and she certainly has them," Baron says.
According to Baron, Curry is a coach with no weaknesses. "She's very smart as far as basketball I-Q, breaking down the game, film, showing players their tendencies and weaknesses. She's great at scouting opponents."
Curry has an extensive background in basketball. She played in college at the University of Oregon, went pro, and then coached in Asia before joining the UMaine staff.
Curry has never let her gender limit how far she can go in the sport.
"I don't know what my peak is. I never put a 'glass ceiling' on how far I can go," says Curry.
"All of the players are excited that she's on the bench, someone of her caliber," says Junior guard, Isaias White.
White says the fact that she's a woman is a non-issue.
"A lot of people get caught up on the whole gender things but like I said previously. basketball is basketball. if you can play, you can play."
The only person who truly recognizes the significance of a woman holding her position may be Curry herself.
"It's an honor. It's something I don't take for granted that's why I'm always here to answer questions and do interviews."
Being accessible is important to Curry. She says she has received numerous "heartfelt letters and emails" from all over the world from coaches, both male and female, as well as from young girls who are watching her career and are inspired by her journey.