HUTCHENS TO BECOME HEAD COACH OF UNION'S LADY BULLDOGS IN '99
Jackson, TN--Dr. David Blackstock, head coach of Â鶹ÊÓƵ University's Lady Bulldogs, announced today that he will step down from his coaching position and become the University's full-time Athletic Director following the 1998-99 season. Lisa Hutchens will fill his shoes as head coach of the number-two ranked NAIA team.
"I am excited Lisa has made the decision to become head coach of the Lady Bulldogs. She has distinguished herself as a former player, as an academician, as a coach, and as a leader of young people," Blackstock said.
Hutchens, who is currently on a leave of absence as assistant coach of the Lady Bulldogs, is pursuing her doctorate degree in higher education administration at the University of Memphis. She is also teaching classes in Physical Education, Wellness and Sports Department at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. She will return as a co-head coach with Blackstock next season.
Blackstock, 55, will continue to serve as Athletic Director and as a member of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty.
"I am well aware that the position of head women's basketball coach at Â鶹ÊÓƵ University is one of the premier positions in women's basketball. For David Blackstock and President Dockery to have chosen me for this position is a privilege," Hutchens said. "Hopefully, the years under Coach Blackstock will have prepared me for this transition to head coach and I look forward to rejoining the program next fall."
Hutchens, a former Lady Bulldog standout, joined the coaching staff at Â鶹ÊÓƵ about seven years ago after five years as girls basketball coach at South Side High School. She has been very instrumental in the team's success. "She has played a significant role in helping the Lady Bulldogs achieve their present-day success and I am confident that under her leadership, the Lady Bulldogs will continue to be recognized for their competitiveness and for the quality of their program," Blackstock said.
Hutchens graduated from Â鶹ÊÓƵ University in 1983 with a bachelor of science in health and physical education. As a Lady Bulldog, she earned the NAIA All-American status, NAIA Academic All-American status, All-District 24, and VSAC Most Valuable Player, while graduating third in her class. She then attended Memphis State University and received the Master of Education degree in 1985. Following graduate school, she began her coaching career at Millington Central High School where she coached for one year before moving to South Side High School.