For Immediate Release: Friday, June 27, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS NAME KRISTY CROWLEY ASSISTANT BASKETBALL COACH

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's women's basketball team has a new assistant women's basketball coach.

Kristy Crowley, who has spent the past two years as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, will join the Lady Broncs for the upcoming season.

Crowley has worked at Hofstra since she graduated from Southwest Baptist University a couple of years ago.

A native of Lawson, Missouri, Crowley twice earned All-State honors at Lawson High School, where she was also a candidate for Show-Me State Player of the Year. She averaged 28 points per game, and her team went 26-2 during her senior year and was the district champion.

Crowley began her collegiate basketball career at Illinois State University, where she was named Academic All-Conference during both her sophomore and junior years. She averaged 11 points per game as a junior, and was a co-captain both as a sophomore and as a junior. While she was at ISU, her team participated in the Pre-Season National Invitational Tournament.

After suffering an injury, she transferred to Southwest Baptist for her senior year. She earned second team All-Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors, and was also named Academic All-Conference as the Bears advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division II Tournament. She earned her bachelor's degree in Physical Education at Southwest Baptist.

Crowley broke into the coaching field at Hofstra, under Joe Rodgers, who had moved to Hofstra from Illinois State. She also was a personal trainer at Equinox in New York City.

"I wanted to come to The University of Texas-Pan American because of the coaching staff and their vision and what they want to accomplish for the program," said Crowley. "It's exciting to have the opportunity to work with student-athletes and help them develop as players and as people, and it's a great opportunity."

"We are excited to have Kristy join our staff," said UTPA Head Coach DeAnn Craft. "She has extensive knowledge in strength and conditioning, and will be a key contributor to our program in that area. Kristy supervised six programs at Hofstra, and implemented the strength and conditioning program for the women's basketball team. Kristy will make an immediate impact in our transition game because she can formulate workouts to compliment our playing style. Being a former Division I player, she has the background that is essential to meeting the needs of the everyday student-athlete. Kristy will be an integral part of our future, and we are honored to have her join us."

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