Central PA Kings’ “Coach Stef” Is A Positive Influence For The ABA

"Coach Steph" is one to watch in the American Basketball Association. Photo Steph's FB.

By Thomas Leturgey

One of the greatest aspects of the modern-day American Basketball Association (ABA) is its diversity. And rarely does a team feature a Bosnian/American like the Central Pennsylvania Kings’ “Coach Stef.

“Coach Stef” is now in her second year helping coach Mally and Head Coach Antoine Brown for Josiah Peay’s franchise. A positive influence on her team, as well as other clubs, “Coach Stef” just recently began sharing her faith by leading now-popular team prayers. Just last weekend, the Kings upset the #3 ranked Steel City Yellow Jackets in Pittsburgh, and Idzakovic pulled both teams together for an arm-in-arm huddle. 

Idzakovic before the Central PA Kings/Steel City Yellow Jackets game January 28. Photo courtesy of Ray Durkin photo.

The road has been a long one for the 30-year-old refugee of the Bosnian War of the early 1990’s. Stephanie and her brother, Stephan, came to the United States along with their parents Josip and Stanislava about 25 years ago. There is a large contingent of Bosnia and Herzegovina natives in Central Pennsylvania, and the family had sponsors in the Harrisburg area that assisted in finding them a home. 

The family settled, but Stephanie had health issues. A type one-diabetic, Stephanie has worked hard to stay fit, and that led her to Harrisburg’s “basketball community" where she "fit right in." Her day job is working in Real Estate property management.

A good friend coached half a season in the Central PA Kings’ first year before Brown took over. “I did the scoreboard and whatever was needed,” she said. Stephanie remained friends with much of the team and stayed on. When an assistant coaching role opened, she became “Coach Stef” and one of the few women on an ABA bench, at least in the East. 

Already paving her way with positivity and professionalism, “Coach Stef” shakes hands and thanks host teams for having the Kings in for a game. And the post-game prayers. “That just really came to be,” she added. “I didn’t even do it at the beginning of the season.” She worked through early season confidence issues, and now sounds like a seasoned pro.

Faith is important to Idzakovic. Still close to her parents, she saw the difference in their religion. Josip is a Croatian Catholic and Stanislava is Serbian Orthodox. Stephanie doesn’t focus on one religion, but attends a Methodist church because of its community outreach.

“It’s HIM getting me through it,” she says of accepting God and allowing him to guide her. “Who else is there? It’s about spreading the faith.”

Stephanie does her best to keep a positive attitude, and doesn’t want negatives. She has penned an ebook entitled “The Power of Positivity.” It’s a life she embodies at every turn.

The Coach looks to continue contributing to the Central PA Kings, and hopes to find a Women’s ABA team to play for this coming season. That’s a difficult task, the closest club to her is in Maryland. 

Her plans include caring for her mother, staying involved in the basketball community, and one day starting a family of her own. Until then, she’s having a blast, and making a difference in the American Basketball Association.

The Central PA Kings are hosting a “Pink Out” fundraiser for breast cancer during this weekend’s game. It’s a cause “Coach Stef” can get behind positively.