Bio

The list of accomplishments for Kori Stephenson just keeps on growing, including a national championship.

Stephenson, and her long-time staff of assistants, Willie Young & Ben Nelson helped lead the 2023-24 Thunberbirds to a 28-7 record and a 2nd place finish in the NJCAA Division II National Championships.  

During the 2013-14 season, the T-Birds took the ultimate final step when they captured the national title by beating the event's first and second seeded teams on successive nights, culminated with a thrilling, 82-72, win over Highland (Kan.) in overtime. during the 2013-14 season.

That completed a 28-5 season, the most wins and best overall record in school history. It was also MCC's sixth consecutive 20-win season and third straight Region I championship.

Stephenson is the face of MCC Women’s basketball, having served the program as an assistant since 1999.  She just completed her 18th season as head coach of the T-Birds.

She has compiled a 401-186 record in her 18 years and her teams have won at least 20 games in 13 of the last 15 years. 

Originally from Forsyth, Montana, Kori graduated from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, SD in 1998, earning a BA in Interdisciplinary Sciences.  As a member of the Hardrocker’s women’s basketball team, she played for longtime head coach Barb Felderman, earning 1st-team NAIA All-American honors, three NAIA national tournament appearances and is third in all-time scoring with 1,934 points.  Kori was the top assistant at Mesa beginning in 1999 during which the Lady Thunderbirds finished 7th in the nation in 2001-02 at Hagerstown, MD and 5th in 2004-05 in Phoenix. 

During her tenure at Mesa nine players have won All-American honors and 44 have been named all ACCAC and 35 have been named All-Region I.  With extensive recruiting efforts throughout the Valley she has established a range of upcoming talent. 

She lives in Mesa with her husband, Brian, and their two sons.

stephenson@mesacc.edu
480-461-7544