UCF KNIGHTS The Staff 70 In This Section Head coach Joi Williams... 71-75 Associate head coach Greg Brown...76 Assistant coach Courtney Locke...77 Assistant coach Chester Nichols...78 Director of Operations Kim Boes...79 Support Staff...80
WOMEN S BASKETBALL I am a person with a strong faith in God. I am very proud to be a UCF Knight. I am a popcorn fanatic. I am a music lover. I am confident. I am hungry to win another C-USA Championship. I am the leader of a great staff. I am addicted to buying shoes. I am a native Floridian. I am a builder of young women. I am Joi Williams and I am... uknighted s m a i l l i W Joi 71
UCF KNIGHTS JOI WILLIAMS Head Coach Third Season at UCF MEET THE STAFF HEAD COACH JOI WILLIAMS 72 In just two seasons at the helm of the UCF women s basketball program, Joi Williams has already engineered a remarkable turnaround, culminating with four wins in four consecutive days to lead UCF to the 2009 Conference USA Tournament title last March. With the title, Williams directed UCF to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1999 and third overall. In the NCAA Tournament, the Knights battled tough against third-seeded North Carolina before falling 85-80 in the first round of the Oklahoma City Regional. The UCF turnaround was visible prior to the Knights success in March. During the regular season, Williams pushed a young basketball team picked to finish last in the C-USA standings through a rocky 2-11 nonconference schedule. Keeping confidence and energy high, Williams then guided the squad to an 11-5 record and a tie for second in C-USA regular season play. The 11 league wins matched the program s total in its first three seasons in C-USA combined, and Williams peers took notice by voting her the 2009 C-USA Coach of the Year. Her impact has also been felt on individual Knights, with UCF players winning the C-USA Player of the Week award a league-high five times in 2008-09, sophomore Emma Cannon garnering first-team all-conference honors and the tournament MVP trophy and sophomore Chelsie Wiley being tabbed third-team all-conference and to the C-USA All-Tournament team. Williams imprint on the program started in her first season, 2007-08, despite the club finishing with just a 10-20 record. With one of the youngest teams in the country and freshmen playing a nation-high 91 percent of the minutes, the team won 10 games for the first time in three seasons and increased its scoring average by more than 10 points per game from the previous year. We made strides in many areas that first season, Williams said. Our team grew tremendously from the time they walked onto campus until the end of the season. We built on that growth in 2008-09 and look to the future with great excitement.
WOMEN S BASKETBALL JOI S FAVE 5 It is that competitive attitude that impressed the UCF administration before hiring Williams to lead the Knights, and Director of Athletics Keith Tribble likes the direction he sees the program headed under Williams. Coach Williams has brought tremendous excitement to the program at UCF, Tribble said. Her passion for the game and commitment to winning is undeniable. A Florida native, Williams returned to the Sunshine State on March 29, 2007, when she was named the 11th head coach in UCF women s basketball history. One of the top recruiters in the nation, Williams came to Orlando after four seasons as the head coach at Murray State. In her final campaign with the Racers, Williams led Murray State to a 21-10 mark in 2006-07 and a trip to the Women s National Invitational Tournament. The 20-victory season was the first for the program in 18 years. The WNIT berth marked only the second postseason appearance in Murray State history. In that same season, Williams guided her squad to a 15-5 Ohio Valley Conference record, which was good for second in the league standings. The Racers also advanced to the OVC Championship Game. Following the regular season, the Racers Joi Scott was named the OVC Player of the Year, and Amber Guffey earned a spot on the All-OVC Second Team. Murray State finished the campaign among the national leaders in several statistical categories, including free-throw percentage, field-goal percentage and scoring offense. Scott was also recognized as a Kodak/Women s Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-America. Williams players also excelled off of the court as the Racers were recognized as OVC Commissioner s Academic Honor Roll recipients on 12 occasions during her tenure. Williams is no stranger to the Sunshine State. Born and raised in Jacksonville, she played on the collegiate level at USF from 1984-88. She earned a bachelor s degree in marketing from USF in 1988. Williams spent 12 seasons on the staff at Florida, MEET THE STAFF HEAD COACH JOI WILLIAMS 73
MEET THE STAFF HEAD COACH JOI WILLIAMS 74 UCF KNIGHTS THE WILLIAMS FILE serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under Carol Ross from 1990-2002. During Williams tenure, the Lady Gators participated in the NCAA Tournament nine times. While at Florida, Williams was recognized as one of the top recruiters in the country. During her time in Gainesville, the Gators went 247-121 (.671). Williams was responsible for the arrival of every student-athlete into the program. She helped attract five All- America selections to Florida, and nine standouts who were recruited by and played under Williams were selected in the Women s National Basketball Association Draft. DeLisha Milton-Jones was Name: Joi Williams Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. High School: Bishop Kenny HS College: USF, 1988 Experience: Third season at UCF 20th overall as head coach UCF (2007-present) - Led program to first C-USA tournament title - Guided program to first NCAA Tournament berth since 1999 - Named the 2009 C-USA Coach of the Year Murray State University (2003-07) - Williams went 21-10 in her final season - Led the Racers to the WNIT and their first 20-win season in 18 years Clemson University (2002-03) - Served as recruiting coordinator University of Florida (1990-2002) - Served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for 12 seasons under head coach Carol Ross - Named by Lindy s Basketball Annuals as one of the Top Young Recruiters in 1994-95 - Signed five All-American selections and nine WNBA draft picks University of South Florida (1984-88) - Earned a bachelor s degree in marketing - Four-year starting point guard - Currently ranks 11th among USF assist leaders the 1997 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and the first UF player ever selected to the Kodak All-America First Team. Milton-Jones was also a member of the gold medal winning 2000 and 2008 United States Olympic women s basketball teams and the 1998 and 2002 USA World Championship women s basketball teams. After coaching at Florida, Williams was hired as the recruiting coordinator at Clemson, where she worked for head coach Jim Davis before being hired at Murray State. JOI WILLIAMS All-Time vs. Opponents Alabama... 0-1 Alabama A&M... 1-0 Alcorn State... 1-0 Appalachian State... 0-1 Arkansas-Little Rock... 2-1 Arkansas-Pine Bluff... 1-0 Arkansas State... 0-2 Austin Peay... 2-4 Ball State... 1-1 Baylor... 0-1 Bethune-Cookman... 1-0 Brescia... 1-0 Charlotte... 0-2 Chicago State... 1-0 Cincinnati... 0-1 Colorado... 0-1 Coppin State... 0-1 DePaul... 0-1 East Carolina... 1-4 Eastern Illinois... 6-2 Eastern Kentucky... 5-5 Florida A&M... 1-0 Florida Atlantic... 0-1 Florida Gulf Coast... 0-2 Florida State... 0-1 High Point... 0-1 Houston... 1-2 Iowa State... 0-1 IUPU-Fort Wayne... 0-1 Jackson State... 0-1 Jacksonville... 2-0 Jacksonville State... 4-2 Kentucky State... 1-0 LaSalle... 1-0 Lipscomb... 1-0 Louisville... 0-1 Marshall... 2-2 Massachusetts... 1-0 Memphis... 3-1 Mercer... 1-0 Miami (Fla.)... 0-3 Mississippi... 0-1 Missouri... 0-1 Morehead State... 5-3 Morgan State... 1-0 North Carolina... 0-1 North Florida... 1-0 Northern Iowa... 0-2 Rice... 3-0 Rider... 0-1 Samford... 4-2 SMU... 2-1 Southeast Missouri State... 1-10 Southeastern Louisiana... 1-0 Southern Illinois... 0-2 Southern Miss... 2-4 Stetson... 1-0 Tennessee-Martin... 6-3 Tennessee State... 7-1 Tennessee Tech... 2-4 Texas Tech... 0-1 Troy... 0-1 Tulane... 1-1 Tulsa... 1-1 UAB... 2-2 UNC Greensboro... 1-0 UTEP... 0-2 Villanova... 0-1 Wake Forest... 0-1 Western Kentucky... 0-4 Wisconsin... 0-1 at Murray State... 54-61 at UCF... 27-37 Overall... 81-98
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS... WOMEN S BASKETBALL In her 20 seasons as a Division I women s basketball coach, Joi Williams has recruited, signed and coached some of the best players in the country. Many of these players have gone on to have successful careers in the professional ranks, both in the WNBA and overseas. Those players are quick to praise Williams as a major reason for their successes and helping to make them the players they are today. Brandi McCain Vanessa Hayden-Johnson Murriel Page There was something about her relentless demeanor that quickly got my attention. Her work is still allowing me to fulfill my dream today as a professional basketball player. She has the will to take UCF to the next level. - Brandi McCain Macabbi Ashdod Coach Joi s energy was one of the big factors in the recruiting process when I was picking a school. UCF made a great decision bringing that energy to its campus, and coach will undoubtedly take UCF to the next level. - Vanessa Hayden-Johnson Los Angeles Sparks Coach Joi s integrity is her most important trait. That along with her ability to inspire is the making of a powerful coach. These traits have molded my career and life significantly. The future is destined to be bright for the UCF program. After meeting and talking to coach Joi, I knew that I wanted to play for her. As a coach she gets the best out of her players on and off the court. She does not just want you to be the best player but the best student-athlete you can. - Murriel Page Former WNBA Player MEET THE STAFF HEAD COACH JOI WILLIAMS - DeLisha Milton-Jones Los Angeles Sparks Olympic gold medalist 75
UCF KNIGHTS GREG BROWN Associate Head Coach Third Season at UCF MEET THE STAFF ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH GREG BROWN 76 Greg Brown joined the UCF women s basketball staff as an assistant coach in April 2007 and was elevated to associate head coach in June 2009. Brown s primary responsibilities include coaching the post players, coordinating scouting and assisting in game preparation and scheduling. In addition, he also serves as the co-director of Joi Williams Basketball Camps. He has been instrumental in the development of junior Emma Cannon, who was an all-conference player as a sophomore in 2008-09. Prior to coming to UCF, Brown worked in Nashville, Tenn., where he served as head girls basketball coach at Goodpasture Christian School. Brown also found success as the head girls basketball coach at Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, Tenn., as he guided the school to three district championships, a regional championship and a sub-state title. He earned two District 8A Coach of the Year awards. He began his coaching career as a student assistant THE BROWN FILE UCF (2007-present) - Helped Knights to C-USA Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth - Works with posts, including guiding Emma Cannon to an all-conference selection and the C-USA tournament MVP - Promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2009-10 season Goodpasture Christian School (2005-07) - Head coach University of Tennessee (2002-04) - Graduate assistant (2002-03) - Assistant coach (2003-04) Friendship Christian School (1998-02) - Head coach Lipscomb (1990-93) - Student assistant coach under Don Meyer at his alma mater, Lipscomb. He also worked with Pat Summitt at Tennessee for two years, first serving as a graduate assistant in 2002-03 before being elevated to assistant coach in 2003-04. During that time, the Lady Vols had a record of 64-9, earned two Southeastern Conference championships and were twice the runner-up at the NCAA Championship. Brown holds the distinction of being the only person to have coached under the all-time winningest men s and women s coaches in college basketball history. A student of the game, Brown has published an article in American Basketball Quarterly on developing low post players at Tennessee and publishes a blog titled UCF Women s Basketball Thoughts. In addition, Brown has been active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for many years, serving as a guest speaker at numerous FCA and community events. Brown has a bachelor s degree in political science from Lipscomb. He and his wife, Teresa, have a son, Cole.
WOMEN S BASKETBALL COURTNEY LOCKE Assistant Coach Second Season at UCF Courtney Locke, a former standout collegiate athlete, is in her second season as an assistant coach at UCF after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Texas-San Antonio. At UCF, Locke s responsibilities include working with the perimeter players and assisting with recruiting and scouting. In helping the Knights to the 2008-09 C-USA tournament title, Locke was instrumental in the development of starting guards Angelica Mealing, Aisha Patrick and Chelsie Wiley. While at UTSA, Locke helped guide the Roadrunners to their most successful season in school history in 2007-08. UTSA posted a 23-10 record, claimed its first Southland Conference Tournament Championship and made the first NCAA Tournament appearance in the 27-year history of the program. Locke served as the Roadrunners recruiting coordinator and camp director. She also was in charge of opponent scouting and the development of the team s THE LOCKE FILE UCF (2008-present) - Helped Knights to C-USA Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth - Works with UCF perimeter players, including 2008-09 all-conference player Chelsie Wiley UT San Antonio (2006-08) - Assistant coach - Helped UTSA to first Southland Conference tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth Rutgers University (2002-06) - Four-year letterwinner - Played for Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer - Played in 126 games with 26 starts perimeter players. Under her direction, guard Monica Gibbs was an All-Southland Conference First-Team selection in 2008. In her playing days, Locke was a four-year letterwinner at Rutgers from 2002-06. While a player with the Scarlet Knights, Locke had the opportunity to learn from one of the nation s best coaches, C. Vivian Stringer. Locke played in 126 games with 26 starts at the guard position at Rutgers. As a senior, Locke started five games and knocked down 39.4 percent of her three-pointers as Rutgers went 27-5 overall and 16-0 in Big East play. While Locke was at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights advanced to four NCAA Tournaments, making the Elite Eight in 2005 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2006. Rutgers twice won the Big East regular-season title with Locke on the squad, and the team s record during her collegiate career was a combined 97-32 (.752), including a 53-11 (.828) mark in league play. Locke graduated in May 2006 with a bachelor s degree in sports management. MEET THE STAFF ASSISTANT COACH COURTNEY LOCKE 77
UCF KNIGHTS CHESTER NICHOLS Assistant Coach First Season at UCF MEET THE STAFF ASSISTANT COACH CHESTER NICHOLS 78 Chester Nichols, one of the premier recruiters in the nation, was hired as an assistant coach on the UCF women s basketball staff in May and is in his first season with the Knights Nichols spent the previous six seasons as an assistant coach at West Virginia University. Nichols is responsible for overseeing the program s recruiting efforts and also works with the team s perimeter players. A native of Ocala, Fla., Nichols is widely considered one of the nation s top recruiters, and he played an instrumental role in bringing five top-20 recruiting classes to WVU. While at West Virginia, Nichols was responsible for recruiting, on-the-court instruction of the Mountaineer post players and assisting in the overall operation of the program. Nichols was recognized as one of the nation s best assistant coaches by earning an invitation to Nike s prestigious Villa 7 Coaches Consortium in THE NICHOLS FILE UCF (2009-present) - Serves as team s recruiting coordinator - Works with perimeter players West Virginia (2003-09) - Assistant coach - Signed five top-20 recruiting classes - Recognized as one of the nation s best assistant coaches by earning an invitation to Nike s prestigious Villa 7 Coaches Consortium adidas/premier Players (2002-03) - Head coach: Florida Starzz - Chief Evaluator: Rookie Sensations Central Florida CC (2001-02) - Assistant coach Greenville College (1993-97) - Varsity football player Beaverton, Ore., in the summer of 2008. During Nichols tenure at WVU, the Mountaineers appeared in three NCAA tournaments and advanced to the second round on two occasions. He also helped guide West Virginia to the championship game of the WNIT in 2005 and to the title game of the BIG EAST Championship in 2006. Prior to his time at WVU, Nichols worked with the adidas/premier Players, an AAU organization in Ocala. He spent one season as the head coach of the Florida Starzz and chief evaluator of the Rookie Sensations. Nichols has also worked as an assistant coach at Central Florida Community College, where he helped coach one NJCAA All-American and three Mid-Florida all-conference players. Nichols is a 1997 graduate of Greenville College, where he played three seasons of varsity football while pursuing his degree in special education.
WOMEN S BASKETBALL KIM BOES Director of Basketball Operations Third Season at UCF Kim Boes enters her third season on the UCF women s basketball staff serving as the director of basketball operations. Boes was added to the staff in May 2007, shortly after Joi Williams was hired as the head coach. In her role at UCF, Boes is responsible for overseeing and coordinating team travel, lodging and meals while on away trips. Boes also monitors the women s basketball budget. She also supervises the student managers and sets up both the team s extracurricular activities and community service. In addition, she serves as the co-director of Joi Williams Basketball Camps. Boes came to UCF after nine years working with the University of Florida Athletics Association. She began her career in the accounting department before joining the women s basketball program as a staff assistant in 1999 under Carol Ross. Boes spent her final three seasons at UF on Carolyn Peck s staff, serving as the assistant to the THE BOES FILE UCF (2007-present) - Director of Basketball Operations - Co-Director of Joi Williams Basketball Camps - Oversees team budget, travel, community service and student managers University of Florida (1998-2007) - Accounting department (1998-99) - Staff assistant (1999-2004) - Assistant to the head coach (2004-07) - Director of camps (2004-07) Brown-Mackie College (1991-92) - Varsity softball player head coach. In that role, she coordinated team travel, oversaw student managers and equipment and handled the team s community relations and extracurricular activities. She also served as the director of the women s basketball camps beginning in 2004 and as the team s administrative liaison during the postseason. Prior to working in athletics, Boes worked in the hotel management industry from 1992-98. Boes holds an associate s degree in travel and hospitality management from Brown-Mackie College in Kansas, where she graduated in 1992. Boes played on the varsity softball team for Brown-Mackie. A native of Norwalk, Iowa, she played basketball, golf and softball at Norwalk High School. MEET THE STAFF DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS KIM BOES 79
UCF KNIGHTS Sarah Hill - Academic Advisor Sarah Hill is an assistant director in academic services for student-athletes. One of her primary responsibilities is advising the women s basketball team. She is in her ninth year at UCF. Along with her advising duties, Hill is an adjunct instructor in the College of Education and coordinates testing for all student-athletes at UCF. Hill received her bachelor s degree in sociology from Arkansas State University. During this time she was a member of the track and field team competing in the long and triple jump. After graduation, she took the position as the assistant coach of both the men and women s track and field teams at her alma mater. Hill also received her master s degree in sociology from Arkansas State University. Hill and her husband Isaac have three children - Isaac Jr., Samarah and Victoria. Andrew Gavin Athletics Communications Chris Hooley Video Services MEET THE WOMEN S BASKETBALL SUPPORT STAFF TRACY PROSSER - Strength & conditioning Tracy Prosser is in her fifth year at UCF as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. She is in her second season working with the women s basketball program and also works with volleyball, men s and women s soccer and football. During her time at UCF Prosser has directly contributed to three different team s championship seasons, including the 2009 women s basketball team s Conference USA Tournament championship. Prior to UCF, Prosser spent five years at her alma mater, Xavier University. As an assistant at Xavier, Prosser worked with all 16 of the Musketeer athletic teams. Prosser earned a bachelor s degree in health & physical education in 1998. She earned her master s degree in sport administration in 2002 from Xavier. During her undergraduate career, she was a member of the women s soccer team. Prosser is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach through the Collegiate and National Strength & Conditioning Associations and Certified Level 1 Coach & Sport Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting. jennifer scallin perez - athletic trainer Jennifer Scallin Perez, the head athletic trainer at UCF, is in her 11th season working with the women s basketball team. Perez began her career with the Knights as a graduate assistant athletic trainer from 1996-98. Upon completion of her master s degree in health service administration at UCF in 1998, she was promoted to assistant then associate athletic trainer. She was elevated to head athletic trainer in the summer of 2007. Perez is a 1994 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned a bachelor s degree in physical education, health and corrective and adaptive education, with a minor in psychology and a specialization in sports medicine. Perez holds memberships in the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and Athletic Trainers Association of Florida (ATAF). A native of Pawtucket, R.I., Perez and her husband Jeffrey, a world history teacher and the head baseball coach at Winter Springs High School, have two sons - Keagan and Kaiden. john whitford - equipment manager John Whitford is in his seventh season at UCF as an assistant equipment manager. Whitford oversees equipment and supplies for the Knights men s and women s basketball, volleyball, women s soccer, cheerleading and dance programs. A 1995 graduate of Manchester College in Indiana, he served as the head basketball manager from 1991-95 and also was a member of the golf team in 1993-94. Whitford later served as an assistant golf coach at Manchester in 1995. Prior to UCF, he worked as an assistant equipment manager at Ferris State from 1998-03, where he handled football duties. Whitford married Amy Rhode in March 2007. The couple gave birth to their first child, Andrew, in May 2008. Dr. Michael Jablonski Team Physician Dr. Douglas Meuser Team Physician Dr. Daniel Monette Team Physician Robert Velasco Student Manager Dr. Kenneth Krumins Team Physician Khalilah Mitchell Student Manager Megan Sledge Student Trainer 80