Spalding University has a selected an up-and-coming college assistant coach with ties around the state to become the next leader of its NCAA Division III women’s basketball program.
After conducting a national search, Spalding has named Georgetown College assistant Kylee Gorby as the Golden Eagles’ next head coach, Spalding Athletic Director Roger Burkman announced Thursday.
Gorby, a 26 year old native of Leitchfield, Kentucky, and former standout player at Asbury University, will become a first-time head coach, replacing all-time Spalding wins leader Charlie Just, who retired this spring after 17 years on the job.
Gorby spent three years on the staff at Georgetown, including helping guide the Tigers to a 22-11 record and appearance in the NAIA Division I National Tournament in 2019. She also spent a year as an assistant at Asbury.
“We’re very excited to have Coach Gorby as our new head women’s basketball coach.” Burkman said. “She brings a lot of energy, determination and a strong work ethic. Coach Gorby is exactly what Spalding University needs in a coach and role model for our student-athletes.”
Gorby will take over a program that was the runner-up of the 2020 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and has made two NCAA Tournament trips since becoming Division III postseason eligible in 2012-13.
“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at Spalding University,” Gorby said. “This institution is rich in tradition, and has leadership and vision. To lead a collegiate basketball program in the state of Kentucky is a dream come true.
“I want to thank Coach Charlie Just for the foundation he laid here at Spalding, and I am looking forward to building upon that success.”
Gorby also thanked Burkman and the search committee for their vote of confidence in her.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I cannot wait to embark on this journey with the team,” she said. “God has blessed me more than I deserve, and I pray that he will continue to guide my steps. I am truly humbled to be a Golden Eagle!”
While on coach James Jackson’s staff at Georgetown, Gorby assisted in recruiting, creating and implementing scouting reports, and creating and conducting individual workouts and mental training activities. She also was involved in fundraising.
“Kylee is a home-run hire for Spalding,” Jackson said. “She is a positive leader and a fierce competitor young people will rally around and need. Her ability to communicate with young people and always find positive things to build on is uncanny. Regardless of how tough a game or day someone has had, she finds a way to rally people to press forward in the right direction.”
Prior to coaching, Gorby was a four-year letter-winner at Asbury, helping lead the Eagles to their first NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2015, then a return trip to the national tournament in 2016. The 5-foot-9 guard also helped Asbury win KIAC Tournament titles in 2015 and ’16. For her career, Gorby recorded 1,197 points, 452 rebounds and 410 assists. She earned first-team All-KIAC and NAIA All-Tournament team honors her senior season.
Photo Courtesy SU Athletics
https://spaldingathletics.com/news/2020/4/16/gorby-named-head-womens-basketball-coach.aspx
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