University of the Cumberlands Athletic Director Chris Kraftick has announced that Rick Reeves will become the new Patriots Women’s Basketball coach on Wednesday afternoon. Reeves becomes the fifth coach to lead the program, replacing Melissa Irvin who stepped down in March.
“We are thrilled to announce Coach Reeves as our new women’s basketball coach,” said Kraftick. “This is such a unique opportunity for UC and fore Rick and everything just fell into place.”
Reeves comes to UC after spending 14 years on the sidelines at Gardner-Webb University. Reeves compiled a program best 216 wins as the Head Coach of the Running Bulldogs and has compiled a 483-456 career record.
“I am very blessed to join the University of the Cumberlands,” said Reeves. “This is a great opportunity, both professionally and personally, and I’m excited to be back in Kentucky.”
Reeves, a four-time Big South Coach of the Year, is the only coach in Big South history to have led two conference members to the NCAA tournament and ranks second in the Big South in overall wins (280) and conference wins (152). He has guided his teams to six postseason appearances at the NCAA Division I level, including four NCAA Tournament berths.
“Our goal is to get to the national tournament and give University of the Cumberlands a chance to compete for a national title,” said Reeves. “There are a lot of good teams in the Mid-South Conference as four teams qualified for the NAIA national tournament this year.”
In addition to his post season experience, Reeves as guided his teams to three Big South regular season championships, four Big South tournament championships, and eight conference tournament championships appearances.
“It goes without saying, Rick brings extensive knowledge and experience, but the thing I’ve been most impressed with is the relationship he has with his athletes, both former and current. Rick will create the positive culture that is key to having a successful program and play winning basketball,” said Kraftick.
In addition to his success on the court, Reeves players have shined in the classroom as well. Last season, Gardner-Webb posted the 15th-highest team GPA in the NCAA and Reeves has graduated every player that has exhausted their eligibility over his 32 year coaching career.
Reeves does bring some NAIA experience with him as he began his collegiate coaching career as Brescia College’s first head women’s basketball coach. Reeves also spent three years as the head coach at Cumberland University, guiding the team to three top-20 finishes.
Reeves is married to the former Ramona Parnell of Columbia, Kentucky. The couple has two daughters, Kim Brewton, a former GWU assistant coach and current assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, and Krystal Reeves-Evans, former GWU assistant and current head coach at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. The Reeves’ also have six grandchildren: Grace, Kalyn, Braylee, Britton, Brielle, and Gabriel.
Tagged with: Big South Gardner-Webb NAIA
