Georgia College will have a familiar face on the bench alongside head coach Ross Jolly when the women’s basketball team begins their season this Winter. The coaching staff has added former Bobcat Ellie Fruit (2017)as an assistant coach.
Fruit is a former Bobcat who played for the program from 2015-17 after transferring from Wabash Valley College. During her time at Georgia College, she earned honors as a Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Silver Scholar and played in 39 games for the Bobcats.
“I could not be happier with the addition of Ellie Fruit to our program,” said Jolly. “She is a wonderful person who will bring positive energy and care to our student-athletes. Also, being an alum of Georgia College, Ellie will be a great resource for our ladies on and off of the court”
Fruit graduated in 2017 with a degree in community health and began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Division I Georgia Southern University. She also earned her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration during her time at Georgia Southern.
Fruit was then hired as an assistant coach at Reinhardt University for two seasons before being hired to coach for the Bobcats. In her time at Reinhardt, she helped the Eagles to a 39-10 record and a pair of appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to return to Georgia College as the women’s basketball assistant coach,” said Fruit. “I couldn’t be more excited to grow both personally and professionally with Coach Jolly. Georgia College is such a special place. I earned my bachelor’s degree and played here. I love the college and the community and could not be more thrilled to re-join the Bobcat Family.”
The Bobcats are very excited to welcome Coach Fruit back, and can’t wait to see the immediate impact she will have on the team.
The proud recipients of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner’s Cup and the league’s sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams’ continued appearances in post-season competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics holds to the mantra of “Graduating Champions for Life”
https://www.gcbobcats.com/sports/wbkb/2021-22/releases/20210921hcm14f
