Coach El grew up in the DC metropolitan area and fell in love with basketball early and never let it go. She played at St. John's College High School in DC, then the University of Bridgeport, then the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia — where she finished as a Graduate Assistant while earning her Master's degree.
Her Master's research focused on athlete transitions — the moments before, between, and after the seasons that most programs don't talk about. That research turned into a coaching philosophy: build the person, and the player follows.
Background
Elsebeth Birman, MOT
Education
Master's of Occupational Therapy
University of the Sciences, Philadelphia · 2015
B.S. Health Sciences
University of the Sciences, Philadelphia · 2013
Playing Career
Graduate Assistant
University of the Sciences, Philadelphia · 2013–15
University of the Sciences, Philadelphia
2011–13
University of Bridgeport
2009–11
St. John's College High School, DC
Class of 2009
Coaching
Assistant Coach & Director of Player Development
Shenandoah University, Women's Basketball · 2016–22, 2025–present
Awards & Recognition
WBCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year
2021
Two Conference Championships
Shenandoah Hornets · 2019, 2022
Curriculum
Co-creator, SLICES athlete-development curriculum
2019