Kennesaw State women’s basketball coach Agnus Berenato revealed at a recent team dinner that she has begun treatment for breast cancer.
According to her medical team at Georgia Breast Care, Berenato’s annual mammogram reported an abnormality in an early stage. A biopsy and evaluation confirmed the presence of a low-grade breast cancer called invasive ductal carcinoma.
Many people have already shown an outpour of support toward Berenato, who successfully completed her first surgery on Thursday, Sept. 28. Her importance to the team was underscored by assistant head coach Khadija Head, who will lead the team on an interim basis.
“[We are] saddened because Coach B means so much to each of us and empowered because Coach B is a warrior who never backs down from a challenge,” Head said. “We trust her now, and will continue to believe her forever.”
The third-year coach has not only been instrumental in rebuilding the team but more importantly has served as a leader and mentor for many women at KSU and her previous schools — Rider, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh.
“I am not afraid of cancer and I will not be defined by this,” Berenato said. “My mother and brother passed from cancer and I have a sister who is a breast cancer survivor.”
For KSU’s annual Pink Day basketball game on Feb. 9, Berenato invited her personal doctor to be an honorary guest coach. The game will hold special meaning as Berenato’s positive and confident spirit guides the team this season.
“I speak for the entire campus in wishing her a speedy recovery as we hold her spot on the basketball court until she returns.” KSU President Pamela Whitten said. “We know she’ll be applying her can-do spirit to this challenge as well.”
As for when she might return, Berenato is confident as ever. “I don’t plan to miss any games or be out very long,” she said.
During a career that has spanned 35 years, Berenato has coached four college teams and has become a respected figure at each institution. Berenato helped rebuild programs at Georgia Tech and the University of Pittsburgh after beginning her career at Rider University.
