Nicole Oudkerk ‘09 enters her fourth season as an assistant coach for the York College women's basketball program.
“As a York alumna, I take pride in helping put the women's basketball program on the map,” said Oudkerk.
No stranger to York, Nicole Oudkerk, better known as Nicole Perry during her playing career, starred as a member of the Cardinals’ women’s basketball team during her time as a student-athlete from 1998-2003 before graduating in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her junior season in 2000-01, Oudkerk contributed to the team’s 16-8 record en route to a Co-Division Championship, ranking second in the nation in blocks while leading the CUNYAC in that department. Oudkerk followed as a senior in 2002-03 by ranking third in blocks in the CUNYAC to finish her four-year career with 144 blocked shots and 506 rebounds.
“Coaching college basketball is a challenge that I am ready for because I am doing something I love and I want to pass my knowledge, my competitive toughness and hunger for the game to this group of young ladies. We have to play as one and know that no one is better than us,” added Oudkerk.
Oudkerk served as an assistant basketball coach at Roosevelt Middle School in 2017 and 2018. She has coached boys and girls in almost every age group throughout her career. Early in her coaching career, her biddies 11 and under team won a championship in the early 2000s. Before enrolling at York, Oudkerk attended Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics (MCSM) High School, where she played as a member of the girls' basketball team from 1995-98. The Rams took the 1998 City Championship. Oudkerk also played basketball on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit for the Riverside Hawks. In middle school, Oudkerk hoisted a championship while playing for Isaac Newton Junior High School.
Oudkerk was the 2003 recipient of the District Councilman Leroy Comrie Award of Recognition for the National Youth Sports Program.
Raised in the Bronx, Oudkerk resides in Queens Village with her husband, Quincy, who are proud parents to sons Quinn and Sharmek, and grandbabies Paityn and Ya'Sani. Quincy played 86 games during his four seasons as a member of York’s men’s basketball team.
From 2004-2020, Oudkerk has been a staple at York as a game aide. In her first season as assistant coach, the squad reached the CUNYAC semifinals and won the York College Team of the Year Award. Throughout her tenure, she helped Mac-Dege Dessources, Ellma Hodzic, and Alica Gumbs make it to the 1,000-point club. Additionally, Oudkerk's players have received recognition from the Met-Basketball Writers Association (MBWA), as CUNYAC All-Stars, and as an NCAA Woman of the Year nominee.
