Thomas More University Staff Update

Thomas More University President Dr. Joseph Chillo, Athletic Director Terry Connor, and women’s basketball Head Coach Jeff Hans announced today (Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019), that Laney Lewis and Emily Vogelpohl will join the Saints coaching staff as Assistant Coaches.

“As we move into NAIA and the Mid-South Conference, Laney and Emily will work hard for our program to have continued success on the court and in the classroom,” Hans said. “They’re doing a great job of player development and creating relationships with our team and prospective student-athletes.”

Lewis was a graduate assistant at Thomas More on the staff of last season’s NCAA Division III national championship-winning team after a decorated playing career at Division II Ursuline College, where she graduated with a degree in Business and Sports Management.

“Laney had a great first year with our program in 2018-19. Her energy and passion for the game and our student-athletes was evident from the beginning. I’m excited to promote Laney to this new position and watch her continue to grow into an outstanding coach.”

A native of Lynchburg, Ohio, Lewis was a four-year team captain at Ursuline. She was a three-time Great Midwest Player of the Year and a three-time GMAC First Team-All Conference selection with the Arrows. She led NCAA Division II in double-doubles, triple-doubles, and rebounding. Lewis graduated with career averages of 19.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, and is Ursuline’s all-time leader in field goals made (603), field goal percentage (.536), rebounding (1,225), and steals (211), and is second all-time in scoring (1,600).

“I am beyond excited and honored to be a part of such a successful program,” Lewis said. “It speaks volumes to the coaches and support staff that make Thomas More so special. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can do in this new conference.”

Vogelpohl has a Division I pedigree as a player at Wright State University, where she was a four-year starter and part of the winningest class in program history (99 wins).

“I have known Emily for a while and was very interested in having her join our staff from the first time we spoke this summer,” said Hans. “Her playing experience at Wright State will be a major asset, but she is also going to be a great role model for our young ladies to follow. I’m happy that Emily has joined our Saints family.”

Vogelpohl is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and her brother, Tyler, played football at Thomas More from 2011-2015. She was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman team in 2016, and was a two-time selection to the HL All-Defensive Team in 2018 and 2019. She helped lead the Raiders to a conference championship and an NCAA tournament appearance in her senior year, and finished her career second in program history in steals (281), fifth in assists (382) and points (1,379), and eighth in rebounds (709).

“I’m extremely thankful to join the Thomas More basketball family,” Vogelpohl said. “As a Cincinnati native, it has been a pleasure to watch Coach Hans develop the program into a national powerhouse. It’s an honor to be able to learn from one of the best in the business. Thomas More is a special place and I can’t wait to help the program pursue more championships.”

https://thomasmoresaints.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/releases/20190822nu517c