Press Release

MARCH 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CHRISTINE FRANCIES, ASST. SID
260-481-0729

Paul Named Women's Basketball Head Coach

Fort Wayne, IN - Athletic Director Mark Pope announced today that Interim Head Coach Chris Paul has been named the head coach of the Women's Basketball team.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," said Paul. "I feel like this program is most definitely going in the right direction and we are just on the cusp of becoming a very solid basketball program."

"I look forward to continuing and moving forward with the basketball program to create something that the university and the City of Fort Wayne can be proud of," Paul said.

"Chris' term as Interim Head Coach merits the opportunity for him to coach this team, going forward," Pope said. "I saw real progress under Chris' leadership. There was a renewed enthusiasm and intensity - including victories in 5 of the last 6 games."

"The Women's Basketball team needs a change. Chris convinced our Committee that positive change can come from within," said Pope.

The 2006-07 basketball season will be Paul's first full season as a head coach. He took over for Bruce Patterson on December 21, 2005 after he resigned citing personal reasons.

Paul has spent six years at IPFW, the past two as the Associate Head Coach and the previous three as first assistant. Prior to IPFW he was an assistant coach for six years at the University of St. Francis.

Paul finished out the Mastodons 2005-06 season going 6-14 while at the helm, after taking over when IPFW was 1-7. Overall the 'Dons finished 7-21.

Paul will receive a multi-year contract, the terms of which are still being finalized.

~ Dons ~