Black named head basketball coach
By Michael Spencer
@Den_Sports
Debbie Black is the new head women’s basketball coach.
In a press conference on Thursday, Eastern announced the former Ohio State University assistant coach as the selection to fill the spot vacated by Lee Buchanan last month.
Black played college basketball at St. Joseph’s University and graduated in 1988. She played professionally for 15 years in Italy, Australia and the U.S.
She spent one season at Vanderbilt and began as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 2005. In each of her eight years with the Buckeyes, Black lead her team to the NCAA tournament every season. Additionally, the program won six Big Ten Conference Championships during Black’s tenure at the university, according to a press release from Eastern just before the announcement.
At the press conference, Eastern athletic director Barbara Burke spoke first and said her selection was made because of her record of success everywhere she has worked in her basketball career.
President Bill Perry was also in attendance. He said the two qualities Black demonstrated were integrity and the ability to win championships.
After Black was introduced, she described a children’s story that was written about the journey she has been on as a basketball player and coach. In Eastern, Black said she has found her storybook ending.
“Eastern Illinois University has given me the opportunity to make a dream come true by being a head coach,” Black said at the press conference.
However, whether or not her story will end “happily ever after” remains to be seen.
Black must dive straight in, as the NCAA recruiting season is already underway for the summer.
“People make good programs,” Black said.
She used the press conference to announce that she will be bringing her own staff with her to Eastern.
Several Eastern players were in attendance, though they declined to comment on the day of the press conference.
Black said her first order of business would be to get in touch with her players for next season.
Michael Spencer can be
reached at 581-2812
