Following a national search, Dickinson College Director of Athletics Joe Giunta has announced the hiring of Emily Hays as the new head coach of the Red Devil women’s basketball program.
Hays comes to Carlisle from Hiram College where she served as the head women’s basketball coach for the past three seasons. Prior to taking over the program at Hiram, Hays spent four years as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Washington & Jefferson.
“We are thrilled to welcome Emily to the Dickinson College Red Devil family and look forward to her leading our student-athletes and the program for years to come,” says Giunta.
“Emily has a proven record of success in recruiting, on the court achievement, academic excellence as well as providing a complete student-athlete experience for the programs for which she has been involved. The Red Devil women’s basketball program is currently in a great position to continue to build upon recent success and believe Emily is the appropriate person to lead that charge for the future – in the classroom, on the court and in the community.”
In just three seasons, Hays developed a competitive atmosphere and winning culture at Hiram. The Terriers set a school record with 17 wins last season and hosted the first home playoff game in program history. In addition, they broke the school record for conference wins in both 2015-16 and 2016-17.
Hiram proved to be one of the top defensive teams in the North Coast Athletic Conference, leading the league with 11.2 steals per game in 2016-17. On the offensive end of the floor, the Terriers were the top free throw shooting team, hitting 74 percent from the charity stripe and ranked third in scoring, averaging 62.5 points per game. Hays coached the NCAC Newcomer of the Year in 2014-15 and the program’s first, First-team All-NCAC selection in 2016-17.
While working as an assistant at Washington & Jefferson, Hays helped guide the Presidents to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The Presidents posted identical 21-9 records over those two seasons, advancing to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) semifinals both years and the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship game in 2014.
She was a four-year letter-winner as a student-athlete, leading the program to four postseason appearances. A three-time All-PAC selection, Hays earned First-team honors as a senior and was named the PAC Player of the Year. During her playing career, W&J posted an overall record of 89-26 and ranked in the top 25 in three of her four seasons. She received a B.A. in accounting from W&J, earning her degree in 2009.
An advocate for liberal arts education and the Division III experience, Hays is excited and optimistic about leading the Red Devil women’s basketball program. “I would like thank Joe Giunta and the search committee for this great opportunity. Dickinson is a strong liberal arts institution with resources that will offer student-athletes so many opportunities to thrive both academically and athletically.”
Hays added, “I fell in love with Dickinson the second I stepped on campus and was able to see the endless possibilities for its students. Coach Bixby laid a strong foundation and I am looking forward to taking the next step with the program.”
Photo Courtesy Dickinson College Athletics
http://dickinsonathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2016-17/releases/20170804h8txat
Tagged with: Centennial Conference Dickinson College DIII Emily Hays
