April 11, 2008

Lenoir-Rhyne Women’s Basketball Adds Gabby Smith As An Assistant Coach

Smith comes to L-R from Carson-Newman, where she served for the past two years

Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Women’s Basketball Team has hired Gabby Smith as an assistant coach beginning in the 2008-09 season, Head Coach Todd Starkey announced today.

Smith comes to L-R from South Atlantic Conference-rival Carson-Newman, where she served as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.

A 2006 Carson-Newman graduate, Smith played under Head Coach Dean Walsh during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, leading the Lady Eagles in assists both years. Smith averaged 3.9 and 3.1 assists per game her junior and senior seasons, respectively, and started all 62 games as a point guard for the Lady Eagles. A tenacious defender and tremendous leader, Smith held her opponent to less than double figures in 59 games.

Smith also helped lead the Lady Eagles to their first-ever NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearance in 2005.

“We are very excited about adding Gabby to our staff,” said Starkey. “Her experience as a successful player and coach in the South Atlantic Conference will help us continue in our goal to become a team of national recognition in NCAA Division II.”

“I’m excited and happy for Gabby,” said Carson-Newman Head Coach Dean Walsh. “It’s always good to have one of your own to move on to the college coaching ranks. She’s will be working for a good coach and good person in Coach [Todd] Starkey. She knows the game and will be a tremendous asset to L-R’s program. The Carson-Newman community hates to lose her but we are also very happy that she has this opportunity.”