| 08/15/05–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LADY
JAG BASKETBALL ADDS TWO TO COACHING STAFF FOR 2006 SEASON
WISE AND MARTELLO JOIN STAFF
CONTACT:
Kevin Beasley
MOBILE,
Ala. - South Alabama women's basketball head coach Rick
Pietri announced the addition of Eric Wise and Katrina "Binky"
Martello to the Lady Jag coaching staff for the upcoming season
on Monday.
"Eric was
the perfect fit for us in terms of someone who has in his previous
Division I experiences done everything from a task standpoint that
this position requires," said Pietri. "We are really happy
to add someone to our staff with the wealth of experience that he
brings."
Wise takes over
for former assistant coach E.J. Jackson who took a position at West
Virginia. He comes to South Alabama after spending the past two
seasons at McNeese State in Lake Charles, La. His duties on the
Cowgirl staff included working with the post players, involving
the Cowgirls in community service projects and designing and publishing
the Cowgirl Newsletter.
"I'm looking
forward to getting onboard with this coaching staff," said
Wise. "I'm very excited to be part of this staff, this conference
and this great university. My goal is to help get South
Alabama back to the championship level it has been at the past few
years.
Wise went to
McNeese State after spending two seasons at Bethune-Cookman College
(2001-2003) as an assistant coach. Prior to his two year stint at
Bethune-Cookman College, Wise served as an assistant coach at Louisiana-Monroe
for one season. While at UL-Monroe, Wise was a member of one of
the great teams finishing 20-7 overall and 17-3 in the Southland
play. Wise and current Lady Jag assistant Terry Canova were members
of that same staff
Before entering
the college ranks, Wise spent four years (1996-2000) as the head
girls coach at West Feliciana High. He led his teams to the playoffs
every year and won three district titles and was named "Coach
of the Year" three times.
Wise began his
coaching career as the boy's basketball head coach at Opelousas
Catholic. There he produced one co-district championship team in
his four year stint (1992-1996). His `93-'94 and `94-'95 teams advanced
to the playoffs.
Also joining
the coaching staff will be a familiar face from a season ago. Martello,
who just graduated in May, steps to the other side of the sideline
after lettering for Pietri the past two seasons.
Martello was
a two-year starter for the Jags each of the past two seasons. As
a senior, she tore her ACL prior to the beginning of conference
season and put off surgery until after the season so that she could
return to help the Jags. During her career at South Alabama, Martello
started 39 of 49 games in which she competed.
"We are
really excited to have Binky back in the program," said Pietri.
"It is always good to have someone on your staff who is not
so far removed from being a student-athlete. She can help relate
experiences in terms of dealing with the players. She will basically
serve the role that Sara Carter did for us last year. She is very
familiar with our program and has experienced the success of it."
Prior to coming
to USA, she lettered at both Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast CC.
In 2000 she was named the state of Florida's Miss Basketball, while
attending Jay High School. She was also a four-time first team all-state
selection and was named 2A Player of the Year on
three occasions.
She will serve
as a student assistant coach.
|
