Jennifer Aadland’s path to the University of Idaho wasn’t just about a new beginning but finding herself all over again. Struggling to relate to her coach at Augustana University, Aadland knew that a fresh start was needed to continue her love of basketball.
When she transferred to Idaho, she found more than just a new team; she found a home. Surrounded by a coaching staff that believed in her, Aadland rediscovered the game she loved. Her second chance offered redemption.
Now, one of the key players for Idaho, she plays not just to win but for the love of the game and the community that helped her take back her love for basketball. “The coach I had my first three years of playing ended up retiring. I had a great experience with him. Then this last season, we had a new coach. I didn’t align with some of her philosophies and her style of play, so I was ready to try something new,” Aadland said. “Then my dad and I came on a visit [to Idaho], and they loved my visit, so I committed here.”
“I loved the small college town feel,” Aadland said. “I’m from a smaller college town, so I really liked how it was similar to where I’ve grown up. And then the arena is beautiful. I just really enjoyed my visit with the coaches and thought about how I would fit in.”
Aadland’s basketball journey began in Laramie, Wyoming, where she showcased her talent and drive to be a college basketball player all over the cowboy state. Aadland was a three-sport star at Laramie High School, excelling in the classroom when she wasn’t scoring baskets on the basketball court. She was also a starring outside hitter on the volleyball court, and in the spring, she was on the track for Laramie. Aadland excelled at all three sports, but basketball was where she really shined.
On the hardwood, Aadland averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks per game as a senior. She led the state of Wyoming in shots blocked and was a three-year All-Conference selection and was an All-State selection during her junior and senior years. Aadland impressed Augustana University enough that she committed and played with them for five seasons.
“Arthur, the first thing he did when he knew that the coaches were leaving and he got the job, he FaceTimed all of the players that they’ve been recruiting and said we still want you.” “It felt like he cared about all of us. I had an excellent experience with him on my visit. He was super personable, and you could tell that he had a lot of knowledge about basketball, so not a lot had changed for me.” Since she stepped foot in the ICCU Arena, Aadland has been key to the Vandals’ success.
The transition from Division-I to Division-II came easier to Jennifer Aadland defends a player from Eastern Washington University During those five seasons, she was a key contributor for the Vikings. In her junior season, the Vikings finished 25-6, a season that ended in the DII NCAA tournament and was the end of Head Coach Dave Krauth’s career.
After the departure of her head coach, she did not see eye to eye with the new coach, and when Coach Carrie and Drew Eighmey reached out, Aadland decided to come to Idaho. However, Coach Eighmey would depart the University of Idaho shortly after, and Coach Arthur Moreira was named the head coach— a decision that did not deter Aadland from joining the Vandals. “When Coach Eighmey left, it was a little bit of a shock to have her leave,” Aadland said. “I had enjoyed how Aadland, an experienced player. “There’s a lot of really talented, good players in D-II,” Aadland said. “The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that, overall, in D-I, it’s more of a physical level, with a faster level of play. With the things I do well with, like hustling and rebounding, I’ve found great success here.”
Aadland has fit into her role for the Vandals and has taken the Vandals and herself to new heights this season. So far this season, she has started in all 19 games and is averaging nine points and ten rebounds a game. She has been a piece of consistency that has been needed with a new team. This season, Aadland has achieved a milestone in being among the top ten in the country in rebounds, a stat she had no idea about until she saw it on social media. “It’s super cool, and I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had this opportunity and to be listed on that list with all those other great players.”
Aadland’s next goal for the season is to reach the milestone of having her own 20 rebounds in one game. “I joked in the press conference the other day that I want to get 20 rebounds in a game. I think that would be super cool.” Even with the high marks, Moreira thinks that Aadland can get even better as the season goes on. “She’s awesome and truly special,” Moreira said. “The fun thing about Jen is that she has been in college for six years, but I don’t feel she has reached her full potential yet. My favorite thing about Jennifer is how hard she plays. She takes pride in rebounding and defense and is very coachable.”
Aadland is most impressive away from the court. She graduated with two undergraduate degrees at Augustana in Spanish and Business and is working on her MBA here at the University of Idaho she hopes to use her degree after completing her MBA.
When Aadland is not excelling on the court or in the classroom, she is either enjoying the outdoors or crawling up on the couch watching “Gossip Girl” or her all-time favorite show, “One Tree Hill.” For Aadland, coming to the UI was more than just a fresh start; it was an opportunity to reconnect with the game she once fell in love with.
It’s in this new chapter where her passion, purpose and love for basketball was reignited. What she found at Idaho wasn’t just a team, it was a second family that pushed her to grow beyond what she thought possible. The road wasn’t always easy, but with every challenge, obstacle or triumph Aadland became stronger and is determined to finish what she started. As she stands at the end of her college career, Aadland’s journey is defined by resilience, growth and the love for the game that will continue to fuel her long after the final buzzer.