Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Livingstone Hires Leah Frierson as Head Women’s Basketball Coach

SALISBURY, NC - Livingstone College is proud to announce Leah Frierson as the Lady Blue Bears’ Head Women’s Basketball Coach. The announcement comes after an extensive search for the proper candidate that can elevate the program to the next level and develop young women for the professional work force.

Leah Frierson, a former women’s assistant at Saint Augustine’s College, is a 2003 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Communications with a Minor in Sociology.  She has a Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix and is currently completing a Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Frierson began her coaching career as a recruiting coordinator and assistant under Head Coach David Johnson at Saint Andrews Presbyterian College for two seasons. Frierson oversaw academic progress, recruiting, strength and conditioning, and compliance in addition to working with the post players at Saint Andrews. She also directed the program's film exchange and community outreach programs along with serving as the school's Student Athlete Advisory Board Advisor. During Frierson’s time at St. Andrews, the Lady Knights registered their first-ever postseason win in 2004 and enjoyed school records for overall (12) and conference (8) wins until 2004-05. That is when SAPC had its most successful season at the Division II level with a 15-13 campaign.

Leah Frierson became the Director of Basketball Operations at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois during the 2005-06 season. She served as coordinator and liaison for community service, marketing and facilities. Frierson was Co-Director of Northern Illinois University Women’s Basketball camps and ensured that the program adhered to NCAA compliance regulations before heading to Saint Augustine’s College.

Frierson is a member of the Black Coaches Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and NCAA Leadership Action Academy. She grew up in Belleville, Illinois, and played prep ball for Coach Paul James at Belleville East High School.

Leah Frierson, a 5-foot-11 scholar forward, helped APSU capture a second straight Ohio Valley Conference Title as a valuable defensive player. The team went undefeated in the OVC and came within two points of upsetting the University of North Carolina in the 2003 NCAA first-round game in Boulder, Colorado.

Prior to Austin Peay, Frierson played at Southwestern Illinois College where she became the school’s all-time rebounding leader, helped the team finish second in the NJCAA Championships in 1999-2000 and earn both All-Region XXIV and Great Rivers Athletic All-Conference honors during her final two campaigns.