Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston and head women’s basketball coach Ann Hancock announce the hiring of Katelyn Grisillo as assistant coach. The USC Aiken graduate spent the previous two years as a graduate assistant coach for the Bulldogs, helping Wingate compile a 52-12 overall record. Grisillo replaces Celeste Stewart, who took an assistant coaching position at East Carolina (her alma mater).
“Although we are sad to see Celeste Stewart move on to advance her coaching career at East Carolina, we are delighted to have Katelyn Grisillo move up the ladder into a full-time assistant coaching role,” Hancock says. “She excelled in all phases of the program as a graduate assistant. Her passion and enthusiasm for the game are infectious. She truly loves what she does and wants to help those around her reach their goals.”
Grisillo helped with every facet of the Wingate program during her time as a graduate assistant coach. She assisted with scouting and recruiting. Grisillo coordinated travel arrangements for away games, ran study hall and handled Wingate’s film exchange and coaching highlight tapes. In addition, she maintained the program’s budget records.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Coach Hancock has given me to extend my time here at Wingate University,” Grisillo says. “As the end of my stint as the GA neared, I said that working at Wingate set the standard for what I hoped to find in all my coaching endeavors moving forward. It is a privilege to stay on and be a part of the winning program Coach Hancock has created.”
On the court, Grisillo worked with the WU post players as the Bulldogs compiled a 15-0 home record last year. Wingate has won 22 straight home games, dating to Grisillo’s first season on the Bulldog bench. Grisillo and the Bulldogs compiled a 26-6 overall record during the 2017-18 season. Wingate made the NCAA Division II play-offs for a South Atlantic Conference-best 16th time. Senior center Marta Miscenko (’18, Riga, Latvia) was the SAC co-Player of the Year, earning a spot on the All-Southeast Region, All-SAC and All-State teams.
During the 2016-17 season, Grisillo helped Wingate (26-6 overall) win the South Atlantic Conference tournament title. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast regional tournament semi-finals. Two post players (Miscenko and Danasia Witherspoon) were named to the All-SAC teams.
Grisillo played in all 28 games as a USC Aiken senior, earning 16 starts. The point guard from Charleston, South Carolina finished second on the team with 46 assists, tallying nearly a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Grisillo dished out a season-high five assists against Columbus State and registered a pair of steals against Francis Marion.
As a junior, Grisillo saw time in 17 games, netting six starts. She posted a season-best seven points against Carson-Newman. Grisillo dished out a career-high six assists against Livingstone and grabbed five boards against Carson-Newman.
Prior to her arrival at USC Aiken, Grisillo spent her first two seasons playing at Presbyterian College. She played in 26 games for the PC Blue Hose. Grisillo buried 42.9 percent of her shots from the floor. She posted her first career points, rebound and steal against Georgia and also tallied a bucket at Virginia Tech.
Grisillo was a LIFE scholarship recipient at USC Aiken. In addition, she was also awarded a Carolina One Michael O’Shaughnessy scholarship. Grisillo was a Presidential Scholar, made the Dean’s List and was part of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society.
Grisillo was also a camp coach and counselor at Bishop England High School and Presbyterian College. She was also an assistant coach for Aiken Elite AAU.
Throughout her two seasons at USC Aiken, she interned with the sports information office and hosted over 100 video interviews with student-athletes and coaches. Grisillo graduated with a B.A. in communications with a minor in business administration. In May 2018, she received a master’s degree in sport management from Wingate.
Tagged with: Assistant Coach DII
