Meet the Coaches

Jay Kroft
Head Coach
1st Season at Indiana Tech
Alma Mater: Indiana Tech (1998)

Email jjkroft@indianatech.edu
Phone (260) 422-5561 x2282
Phone (260) 466-0659 cell

Coach Kroft is in his first year as the Head Women's Basketball Coach, but he is no stranger to Indiana Tech. Kroft left being a Head Boys Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at the high school level to return to Indiana Tech as an assistant before taking over as interim head coach in late January of last year. Kroft graduated from Oak Hill High School, where he built his defensive knowledge under coaches Kevin Pearson and Tim Sirk. After high school Kroft had the chance to garner more basketball knowledge by playing for great college coaches such as, Dave Bireline, Deke Routheaux, and from legendary coach Dan Kline.

Kroft played and graduated from Indiana Tech, and during his time here the Indiana Tech's men's team was ranked in the nation offensively and defensively. Although his basketball career was cut short because of wearing knee injuries, Kroft kept his passion going for the game through coaching. He has been coaching at different levels for over 19 years, and he has coached players that have reached every level of competition including the NFL and the NBA.

Coach Kroft is also the Assistant Sports Information Director at Indiana Tech. He resides here in Fort Wayne with his wife Christi and his three sons, Caleb, Lucas, and Andrew.

Charity Middleton
Assistant Coach
3rd Season at Indiana Tech
Alma Mater: University of St. Francis, 2001

Email clmiddleton@indianatech.edu
Phone (260) 348-6822

Coach Middleton is now entering her third year as an assistant at Indiana Tech. She brings years of championship level playing experience playing from USF and coaching from IPFW.

Middleton was a point guard at the University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, IN) from 1997-2001. While at USF, Middleton excelled in the classroom and on the court. She's ranked 7th in All-Time Scoring (1,310 points) and ranks in the top ten in assists. Middleton was the starting point guard for the USF 1999 squad that played for the NAIA Division II National Championship. During her career, the Cougars were never ranked lower than 10th in the nation, including her junior season when USF was ranked #1 the entire year. Middleton played in four elite eights, two final fours, and one national championship where Saint Francis was the national runner-up.

Middleton graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Sports Management, and in 2005 with an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Marketing.

Charity and her husband Seth reside in Fort Wayne, IN.

Porsche Reaves
Assistant Coach
1st season
Alma Mater: Indiana Tech (2007)

Coach Reaves will join the Warriors as a first year assistant coach for the 2008-2009 season. Reaves will be assisting the Warriors Varsity team this season with the intent of developing and improving the player's knowledge of the game.

Reaves is no stranger to Indiana Tech basketball. The Flint, Michigan native was a shooting guard for the Warriors basketball team for 2 years after transferring from Northwood University. Reaves was ranked 29th in NAIA Division II in 3-Pt FG Pct (0.394) in the 05-06 season. Reaves lead the team in points and assist her senior year averaging 13.8 pts and 2.9 asts per game.

Reaves graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Information Systems with a concentration in Web Design.

Porsche resides in Fort Wayne, IN.

Christa Ragukonis
Head JV Coach
1st season
Alma Mater: University of Saint Francis

Coach Ragukonis will join the Warrior basketball program as the Head JV Coach. Ragukonis was a four-year varsity starter for South Bend Riley high school where she averaged over 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists for her career. Ragukonis currently still holds the record for the most 3-pointers in a game.

Ragukonis played basketball at Manchester College and then transferred to the University of Saint Francis to play basketball, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She currently teaches middle school Special Education at Imagine Master Academy in Fort Wayne.

Christa resides in Fort Wayne, IN.

Yansey Donald
JV Assistant Coach
1st season
Alma Mater: Saint Francis (2006)

Coach Donald is in his first year with the program as an Assistant Coach with the JV team, but has over 14 years of experience in Coach Kroft's programs. Coach Donald's intensity will help the entire program strive to get better in the weight room and worker harder on the court.

Donald was an Academic All-State football player for Marion High School, IN and played AAU Basketball at the national level for Coach Kroft. Donald went to Hanover College out of high school to play football, but transferred to the University of Saint Francis. During his time at Saint Francis they were the winningest college football program at any level in the nation.

Donald graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. He currently is working at Imagine Master Academy in Fort Wayne.

Yansey resides in Fort Wayne, IN.

Natasha Lagrande
Graduate Assistant Coach
1st season
Alma Mater: Indiana Tech (2008)

Coach Lagrande has traded in her playing shoes for a whistle and is joining the coach staff as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Warriors. LaGrande will assist in all aspects of the Warrior basketball program.

LaGrande is a Southfield, MI native and a four year member of the Warriors basketball team. She has a tremendous amount of basketball knowledge and understanding of the game. This correlates perfectly her ability to understand and relay Coach Kroft's offensive and defensive systems.

LaGrande graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Management degree.

Tasha resides in Fort Wayne, IN.