TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN AMANDA GRAPPE NAMED A GRADUATE ASSISTANT COACH FOR GOLDEN SUNS BASKETBALL TEAM

       RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Golden Suns Head Basketball Coach Dave Wilbers has announced that former two-time All-America forward Amanda Grappe has joined his staff as a graduate assistant coach.

Grappe, who recently completed her four-year career with the Golden Suns this past March, will join Wilbers’ staff that consists of second-year assistant coach Julio Pacheco.

“Amanda was one of the all-time greats to play in this program and I’m glad to have her join our coaching staff,” Wilbers said Friday. “She has been a tremendous asset to the program and has been one of our best recruiters the past two seasons.”

Grappe, who is a native of Benton, Ark., finished her Tech career as the program’s 10th all-time leading scorer (1,738 points) and fourth all-time leading rebounder (791 boards). This past season, Grappe was named the Gulf South Conference’s West Division Player of the Year and was named the program’s first-ever First-Team WBCA/State Farm NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-American selection. Grappe, who was a three-time All-GSC West Division selection, averaged 19.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this past season and shot 54 percent from the field, 42 percent from the 3-point line and 78 percent at the free throw line and scored in double figures in 27 of Tech’s 28 games. She holds the school record for career free throw attempts (649) and career free throws made (468). In her career, she had 94 career double-digit scoring games, 20 double-doubles and 29 games of scoring 20 or more points, including five career 30-plus point games. In addition, she was named a GSC West Division Player of the Week 10 times in her career, including three times this past season.   

Wilbers said that Grappe, who is an early childhood education major, will start her duties in June by assisting with Tech’s summer camps.

Among the players Grappe will get to coach next season will be her sister, Ashley Grappe. Ashley, who will be a senior for the Golden Suns in 2009-10, is the team’s two-year starting point guard.  

 -- Tech Athletics --