June 25, 2002

DIXON ANNOUNCES HIRING OF JAQUES AND VANCO

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman women's basketball coach Dr. Sam Dixon announced on Tuesday the hiring of Ali Jaques (NYU, '98) and Jessica Vanco (St. Bonaventure, '99) as assistant coaches on the Lady Paladin basketball staff.

First assistant Ali Jaques joins the Furman staff following three seasons at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., where she was the first assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While at Sacred Heart, Jaques was a part of the team's first season as an NCAA Division I program (1999-00) and helped the team post a 48-40 record over the last three years. Jaques' responsibilities at Sacred Heart included overseeing the recruiting process, scouting opponents and developing game strategies, scheduling, overseeing academic progress, organizing travel, and fundraising. During her tenure, the Pioneers finished third twice and second once in the Northeast Conference, and in 2001-02 compiled an 18-11 record.

Jaques got her start in coaching at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., following a four-year career as a player at New York University. While at Rider, Jaques was responsible for film exchange, organizing a trip to Spain, monitoring student-athletes' academic progress, and on-the-court coaching. At NYU, the Rosemont, N.J., native was a four-year letterwinner who helped her team to four appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament, including a National Championship in 1997. Along the way, Jaques was honored with the Coach's Award twice and the 6th Man Award once. She was also selected as a team captain for the 1997-98 season and graduated magna cum laude with a double major in broadcast journalism and German.

"Ali has a tremendous work ethic and enthusiasm for coaching and recruiting," said Dixon. "Based on her academic background, being an NYU grad, I thought she would be an outstanding fit and is someone who can truly understand the value of a Furman education and will be able to convey that to prospects, players, their parents, and the community.

Meanwhile Jessica Vanco, a native of Garfield Heights, Ohio, joins the Furman staff after a one-year stint at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. Her role at West Point closely mirrored her previous position at Salem International (Salem, W.Va.), where she was responsible for recruiting, film exchange, scouting, the monitoring of student-athlete's academic progress, and on-the-floor coaching. Vanco also gained valuable experience as a camp director for Blue Streak All Sports Camp in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in the summer of 1999.

A four-year letterwinner at St. Bonaventure, Vanco was the team's most improved player as a junior and was a captain during her senior season. A 1999 graduate with a degree in psychology, Vanco closed out her career ranked sixth among Atlantic 10 rebounders and worked several of the Bonnies basketball camps to add to her coaching résumé, After graduating from St. Bonaventure, Vanco attended Boston University, where she earned a master's degree in counseling-sport psychology, while working as a volunteer assistant with the La Selle College women's basketball team.

"Jessica is a young, exciting coach with a lot of energy and a great understanding of relationships between players, coaches and the community. With her experience at West Point Jessica has a great understanding of academic rigors and what it will take to be successful at Furman. I am also excited about her experience playing and coaching in the post."

Vanco is slated to begin July 1, while Jaques is already at work on the Furman campus.