LaTricia Gunnells joined the UCF women[apos]s basketball staff in September of 2003. She will be responsible for on-court coaching, recruiting, film exchange and scheduling practice times as well as coordinating the team[apos]s public relations and community service efforts.
[quote]I am thrilled to be a part of the Golden Knight establishment,[quote] said Gunnells. [quote]My decision to join UCF was not only based upon the close knit family environment that Coach Striegler and team portray, but also upon Gail[apos]s in-depth knowledge of basketball. This is an opportunity that I am truly grateful for.[quote]
A native of Detroit, Mich., Gunnells most recently served as an assistant women[apos]s basketball coach at Lehman College in the New York City area, where she dealt with all administrative and coaching aspects of the game.Gunnells began her basketball career at Detroit[apos]s Murray-Wright High School. Upon graduation, she enrolled at Lansing Community College, where she both played and acted as a student coach from 1993-96.
In the fall of 1996, Gunnells transferred to St. John[apos]s University where she continued her playing career. After exhausting her eligibility in 1998, she stayed with the team as an undergraduate assistant coach. She also spent three years as a camp counselor and coach with the Inner-City Games during that time.
Thanks to her previous experience, Gunnells has a lot offer the Golden Knights. [quote]I am a very team oriented person who believes motivation and encouragement are the key to each individual[apos]s perseverance,[quote] said Gunnells.
Gunnells, who serves as guardian of her two younger siblings - Aaron (5) and Bre[apos]huna (10), graduated from St. John[apos]s University in 1999 with a bachelor[apos]s degree in communications.