For the past several years, Mackenzie Livingston has been building her resume as a basketball assistant. Livingston, a 2013 graduate of Blairsville High School, is now ready to embark on her first opportunity as a head coach, as she was approved as the Greater Latrobe girls basketball coach last week.

“I honestly just was like in shock,” she said after the school board voted to hire her as both the varsity coach, as well as a health and physical education teacher. “I was so over-the-moon excited. It was just an amazing feeling.”

Prior to her coaching tenure, Livingston enjoyed a successful career on the hardwood. After she excelled at Blairsville, Livingston matriculated to nearby Indiana University of Pennsylvania, playing one season with the Crimson Hawks. She spent her final three seasons at Lock Haven University, starting 42 games and averaging 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Bald Eagles.

When her career wrapped up, Livingston returned to her alma mater to serve as a girls assistant. After multiple years on the sidelines with the Bobcats, she remained on staff when Blairsville merged with Saltsburg to form River Valley in 2021-22. Last season, she shifted to the River Valley junior high boys team, giving her various perspectives of the game.

“Being an assistant really shapes you and prepares you for this head coaching position,” she said.

Livingston inherits a team that has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, including numerous postseason victories. Over the winter, the Wildcats compiled a mark of 14-9, falling to Trinity in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

Mark Burkardt, who had guided the program for eight years, retired following the campaign.

While notable players like Emma Blair and Camille Dominick have graduated, the Wildcats return several accomplished contributors, including Elle Snyder, Carley Berk, and Belle Blossey.

“They’ve had tremendous athletes come through this program and still continuing to come through this program,” Livingston said of the Wildcats. “I have such a great group of girls right now.”

While she’s less than a week into her new role, Livingston has wasted no time in establishing rigorous standards in the weight room, while also developing team-bonding experiences.

“It’s all about the offseason. They’ve proven to me they are ready to tackle this with me, so full steam ahead,” she noted.