Northeastern State women’s basketball coach Randy Gipson has announced the hiring of Ashley Rush as his new assistant coach. She is set to join the staff for the 2016-17 campaign.
Rush will make her way to Tahlequah after spending the past five years in various roles at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Mustangs compete at the NCAA Division II level and are members of the Lone Star Conference.
“I’m very excited about the addition of Ashley Rush to our coaching staff,” Gipson said. “She will bring high energy and dedication to our team. Ashley comes from an outstanding Division II basketball program where she has been actively involved in all aspects of their operation. She will make a difference for us.”
The newest member of the RiverHawks family has been at Midwestern State since 2011 and spent her first two years playing on the women’s basketball team. She then transitioned into a graduate assistant coaching role (2013-14) before being promoted to full-time assistant for the last two campaigns (2014-16).
During her time as a player with the Mustangs, she helped the team win both an LSC Regular Season Championship (2013) and an LSC Tournament Championship (2013). MSU also advanced to the 2013 NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen.
She coached Midwestern State to two NCAA Championship tournament appearances (2013-14). Part of her coaching duties included aiding in organization of all aspects of recruiting and academic progress of student-athletes, as well as on-court coaching and facility scheduling.
Rush appeared in 57 games and made 10 starts across her two seasons at MSU. She accumulated 178 points, 80 rebounds, 106 assists, 27 steals, and four blocks. She also helped lead the Mustangs to their first NCAA Division II postseason victory in school history.
She spent her first two collegiate years at Southwestern Oklahoma State in Durant, Oklahoma, before transferring to Midwestern State. She played in 53 games with one start for the Bulldogs, totaling 389 points, 86 rebounds, 70 assists, 46 steals, and six blocks.
Rush is a native of Cashion, Oklahoma, where she attended Cashion High School.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Midwestern State in 2013 and is working toward a Master of Education degree in sports administration.
http://goriverhawksgo.com/news/2016/5/31/womens-basketball-gipson-adds-rush-to-staff.aspx
