Head Coach & CT Northstars Director Katie DaCosta
Katie DaCosta has been a part of Amateur Athletics Union, "A.A.U." since 1994. After playing A.A.U for 8 years and being a 4 year varsity starter on her high school team and being a 3 time all conference player and All Academic All-State player, she went on to join the elite few who played Division 1 basketball for Central Connecticut State University. Following college, Katie began coaching student-athletes at the middle school level for St. Augustine's and Classical Magnet. As she pursued her career, she began coaching varsity girls high school basketball for Classical Magnet and Enfield High. In hopes to broaden her career, Katie began coaching boys basketball for Sports Medical & Science Academy's freshman team and the Connecticut Northstars's Boys & Girls U10-U18 clubs
Being one of the few women to coach boys basketball in the state of Connecticut, Katie's coaching efforts started to become recognized by higher education institutes. She soon joined Manchester Community College, "M.C.C.", as their girls coach. Katie coached for M.C.C until the college was forced to close its doors on all of its athletic programs. She then continued her coaching career at East Catholic High School as their girls Varsity coach for four consecutive years 2013-2016. Coach Katie was also awarded by A.A.U. the "2013 Coach of the Year" for boys basketball. Katie, was also the director for the Catholic Youth Organization's basketball program, "C.Y.O" for the past 14 years.
Currently, she is the director for the Connecticut Northstars with Ray DaCosta for the past 15 years, is in her second year of running Vernon Travel, Katie also is in her second year as Secretary for CT AAU. She runs and coordinates summer basketball camps in CT and overseas (Ireland/Portugal) and mini basketball Katie currently is continuing her coaching career as the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Bloomfield High School.Where she was able to lead her team to their first CCC-North Division Championship in Bloomfield's history and also led her team to the Class M Semi-finals in 2020, which was unable to be played due to Covid-19. While reaching these milestones she has also reached her 100th Varsity Career victory.
Katie DaCosta was awarded in 2017 the CREC- Shining Star for her efforts and dedication to the young men and women she works with.
She has also been inducted into Bulkeley High School Hall Of Fame in 2018.
Katie DaCosta has been a part of Amateur Athletics Union, "A.A.U." since 1994. After playing A.A.U for 8 years and being a 4 year varsity starter on her high school team and being a 3 time all conference player and All Academic All-State player, she went on to join the elite few who played Division 1 basketball for Central Connecticut State University. Following college, Katie began coaching student-athletes at the middle school level for St. Augustine's and Classical Magnet. As she pursued her career, she began coaching varsity girls high school basketball for Classical Magnet and Enfield High. In hopes to broaden her career, Katie began coaching boys basketball for Sports Medical & Science Academy's freshman team and the Connecticut Northstars's Boys & Girls U10-U18 clubs
Being one of the few women to coach boys basketball in the state of Connecticut, Katie's coaching efforts started to become recognized by higher education institutes. She soon joined Manchester Community College, "M.C.C.", as their girls coach. Katie coached for M.C.C until the college was forced to close its doors on all of its athletic programs. She then continued her coaching career at East Catholic High School as their girls Varsity coach for four consecutive years 2013-2016. Coach Katie was also awarded by A.A.U. the "2013 Coach of the Year" for boys basketball. Katie, was also the director for the Catholic Youth Organization's basketball program, "C.Y.O" for the past 14 years.
Currently, she is the director for the Connecticut Northstars with Ray DaCosta for the past 15 years, is in her second year of running Vernon Travel, Katie also is in her second year as Secretary for CT AAU. She runs and coordinates summer basketball camps in CT and overseas (Ireland/Portugal) and mini basketball Katie currently is continuing her coaching career as the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Bloomfield High School.Where she was able to lead her team to their first CCC-North Division Championship in Bloomfield's history and also led her team to the Class M Semi-finals in 2020, which was unable to be played due to Covid-19. While reaching these milestones she has also reached her 100th Varsity Career victory.
Katie DaCosta was awarded in 2017 the CREC- Shining Star for her efforts and dedication to the young men and women she works with.
She has also been inducted into Bulkeley High School Hall Of Fame in 2018.
Assistant Coach Leonard Okonya
Leonard Okonya was a 4 year varsity athlete and one time state champion with the Academy of Science and Innovation. Coach Leonard was a former All-State player, 2x All Conference player and an Academic All-State Athlete. Leonard played with Katie DaCosta and the CT Northstars for 2 years and won the AAU state tournament. Coach Leonard will be continuing his education as well as his athletic career at Clark University where he will be studying psychology. Coach Leonard has an interest in coaching because throughout his years of playing basketball he feels he was fortunate enough to have caring, supportive coaches that really made a difference on and off the court and he wish to be able to provide that same support to kids who have the same dreams as he does.
Leonard Okonya was a 4 year varsity athlete and one time state champion with the Academy of Science and Innovation. Coach Leonard was a former All-State player, 2x All Conference player and an Academic All-State Athlete. Leonard played with Katie DaCosta and the CT Northstars for 2 years and won the AAU state tournament. Coach Leonard will be continuing his education as well as his athletic career at Clark University where he will be studying psychology. Coach Leonard has an interest in coaching because throughout his years of playing basketball he feels he was fortunate enough to have caring, supportive coaches that really made a difference on and off the court and he wish to be able to provide that same support to kids who have the same dreams as he does.
The CT Northstars want to say "Thank You" to all of our coaches and their families.Without the hard work from them everyday and the sacrifices their families make we could not be successful. It's this effort from everyone that will make us stand out above everyone else.
