Dasovich Family Leads Minnetonka Basketball Together

Five-year-old Emma Dasovich is a staple of the Minnetonka basketball program. She patrols the gym during practices, knows the varsity players and helps with water during games.

She is, in a way, very much at home at the gym. Such is life for the daughter of Tom and Leah Dasovich, the Skippers’ boys and girls varsity basketball coaches.

“She lives here; she grows up here,” Tom said. “It’s great because she thinks this is totally normal.”

It’s a unique situation for a husband and wife to run both sides of a school’s basketball program, but the Dasoviches are currently assuming that role for the . Tom, in his second year with the boys, and Leah, in her first year with the girls, are enjoying the chance to work together in the gym and at home.

During the winter these days, basketball strategy is a major topic of conversation.

“When we actually have a chance to sit down together and have dinner as a family, basketball does dominate our lives,” Leah said. “We’ve put TV watching on hold this fall and this winter now, and all we do is watch college basketball or game tape.”

It’s a lifestyle that they both hoped for while growing up.

The two met as athletes at St. Cloud State University—Tom a football player and Leah a member of the Huskies’ women’s basketball team. While nursing matching knee injuries, the two met in the training room.

Coaching was a common link. Tom’s grandfather was the head basketball coach at Itasca Community College, and he knew one day he wanted to follow in those footsteps. Leah said it was path she also planned to take.

Now, the Dasoviches are enjoying the chance to coach in one of the state’s largest schools, equipped with the personnel and the resources to build a successful program.

“The community here is second to none,” Tom said. “With our support, with our facilities, we have the capabilities to be the premier program in the state of Minnesota. That’s why I’m here. We’re not there yet, but that’s what we’re working hard toward.”

So far this season, both are enjoying success. Heading into each team’s respective game on Dec. 15, the boys squad is 4-0 and the girls team is 5-0.

“This year it’s nice because we have some doubleheaders, and we can watch each other,” Leah said. “The girls and guys get along pretty well. It’s a unique situation, and we’re pretty lucky.”

With matching coaching jobs and a chance to watch their daughter grow up in the Skippers’ gym, life is good for Tom and Leah Dasovich. The two realize their situation is unique, and they’re enjoying the chance to coach their programs together.

“You share things you want to do, and how practice went and if you’re having challenges with certain teams or kids or things like that,” Tom said. “We bounce ideas off each other.”