Erskine
Names Laura Jones Assistant Coach for Women's
Basketball and Softball
By
Sue Kahrs
Class of 2000
Erskine College has named Laura Jones, a 1999
graduate of Presbyterian College, assistant coach for
women's basketball and softball, according to Chip
Sherer, athletic director.
Jones played basketball on scholarship at
Presbyterian and intended to play softball, but was
unable to because of knee injuries.
Jones, a native of Greenville, attended Mauldin
High School and played both basketball and fast-pitch
softball.
Sherer says that he had been interested in getting
an assistant coach for both basketball and softball
and Jones “fit everything we were looking
for.” Sherer added, “We are very excited to
have her. She will be a great assistant to Head Coach
Traci Westmoreland and will allow us to widen the
scope in our recruitment process.”
Head coach of both women's basketball and softball
at Erskine, Westmoreland said that Jones will have an
immediate impact on both teams. “The experience
she brings from a disciplined and respectable program
will be of great value to Erskine,” Westmoreland
said.
For the basketball program, Westmoreland said that
Jones will be focusing on conditioning and
weightlifting as well as recruiting.
Jones said she “hopes to help relieve some of
the pressure” from Westmoreland in the office
and on the court. “I am excited about being at
Erskine and working with Traci, and I look forward to
experiencing a new philosophy and coaching
style.”
While at Presbyterian, Jones played basketball for
Head Coach Beth Couture, a 1984 Erskine graduate.
Under Couture, Jones trained in what she called
“a disciplined atmosphere which thrived on
academics as well as athletics.”
Jone said, “I think that the schools are a
lot alike, and I'm excited to work for a program with
a good reputation.”
During the softball season Westmoreland will look
for Jones to assist in practice and recruiting and
eventually “work into coaching decisions. While
Jones did not play varsity softball at Presbyterian,
Westmoreland feels she has the ability to evaluate
talent and assist in practice.
Westmoreland says that Jones has an outstanding
reputation and was a hard-working player. “With
that kind of combination,” Westmoreland said,
“she will bring a lot of talent to
Erskine.”
