Coppin State announces staff changes
Ready resigns; Jude hired; Wilson promoted

Coppin State College has made some changes in its athletic department staff.

China Jude has been hired as head volleyball coach following the resignation of Stephanie Ready and Billie Wilson has been promoted to associated head women's basketball coach.

Jude comes to Coppin after serving as head volleyball coach for two years at UNC-Wilmington where she accumulated a 9-51 overall record. Prior to her stint at UNC-W, Jude served as an assistant coach at Rollins College. She also has coaching experience as head coach at North Chicago High School, head coach of the Shoreline Volleyball Club (Lake Forest, IL) and undergraduate assistant at Alabama State.

The Waukegan, IL native was a four-year starter at Alabama State University as an outside hitter. She earned All-Suthwestern Athletic Conference honors as well as team MVP honors twice.

"China will make a great addition to the Coppin Staff," said Ron Mitchell, CSC athletics director. "She is a knowledgeable individual who possesses a tremendous work ethic and great character."

Jude replaces Stephanie Ready, who resigned from the position but will continue to serve as an assistant coach for the men's basketball program at Coppin.

"Stephanie has done a terrific job of getting volleyball headed in the right direction, but in fairness to the volleyball program, it is at a point where we need someone whose time is not so thinly spread, especially during the fall and winter," said Mitchell, who serves as men's basketball coach in addition to his duties as athletics director.

"This move will allow her to concentrate her full-time attention to an area where she has indicated she would like to continue her career."

Wilson's promotion was announced by women's basketball coach Derek Brown. She had served the team as an assistant coach for the past three years while working primarily with the Lady Eagles' post players.

"Billie definitely has head coaching capabilities," said Brown. "She has been coaching long enough to handle the duties of a head coach."

In her new position, Wilson will assist in all areas of basketball operations and serve as the Lady Eagles' primary recruiter.

As a result of the promotion, Wilson will relinquish her duties as head softball coach to fully concentrate on her new position.

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