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WSSU Head Men’s Basketball
Coach Philip Stitt Resigns
August 18, 2006
Winston-Salem, NC – Winston-Salem State
University Rams head men’s basketball
coach Philip Stitt has resigned from his position
after five years and two NCAA Division II tournament
appearances, WSSU officials announced today.
WSSU Photo
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Philip Stitt |
Stitt, who compiled a 94-51 record during
his tenure at WSSU, resigned to accept a head
coaching position at Florida Community College
at Jacksonville (Fla.). He is a native of Jacksonville.
WSSU Athletic Director Percy “Chico” Caldwell
regrettably accepted the resignation today
which was effective immediately. The Rams are
preparing to make their debut season in NCAA
Division I this fall. WSSU will name an acting
coach within the next few days and launch a
national search at a later date Caldwell said.
“Though this comes at an inconvenient
time, I am fully aware that major life decisions
rarely come at a convenient time” Caldwell
said. “Coach Stitt has done many wonderful
things for the WSSU men’s basketball
program and the student-athletes, and many
times throughout his tenure, he has accomplished
those things at difficult times in his personal
life.” “He now has the opportunity
to go home where he grew up to be with his
family, and in particular, to be with his mother
during the latter years of her life,” Caldwell
continued. “He will be coaching at the
institution where he began his coaching career.
To have an opportunity like this is something
that every coach has to strongly consider if
given the chance. Though we hate to see him
leave, we wish him all the best in his future
endeavors.” Stitt, had just completed
his fifth season as the head coach. He led
the Rams to a 19-10 record this past season
as the Rams fell in the second round of the
CIAA men's basketball tournament to the Bulldogs
of Bowie State in WSSU's final season at the
NCAA Division II level. In 2004-05, Stitt led
the Rams to a 22-8 record, a CIAA Western Division
regular-season title, a CIAA Tournament semi-finals
appearance, and an NCAA Division II Championship
Tournament berth, en route to earning CIAA
Coach of the Year honors.
A member of the Ram coaching staff since 1998,
Stitt has been a part of five 20-win seasons,
two CIAA Championships, five NCAA Tournament
berths and two NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearances
while at WSSU. During this period the Rams
have posted an astounding 165-67 (.711) record.
Stitt's collegiate coaching career began in
1991 as assistant at Florida Community College
at Jacksonville. After spending three seasons
with the Stars, he moved on to Division I Jacksonville
University, where he assisted with practice
and game coaching, recruiting, and the organization
of basketball camps. In 1997 Stitt joined the
coaching staff at Fayetteville State University
in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In his only
season at Fayetteville State University, the
Broncos finished 17-10, tied for second place
in the CIAA Western Division.
Stitt earned his B.A. in health, physical
education and recreation in 1991 from Brewton-Parker
College where he earned multiple playing awards
during the 1998 and 1999 seasons.
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