A&T Names Saudia Roundtree Head Women's Basketball Coach

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Kia Mason
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July 15, 2002

A&T NAMES SAUDIA ROUNDTREE HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH

GREENSBORO - Saudia Roundtree, interim head women's basketball coach at Morris Brown College, has been named head women's basketball coach at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Dr. James C. Renick, chancellor of N.C. A&T, made the announcement at a press conference today.

"We are extremely pleased to announce that Saudia Roundtree will be joining the Aggie family as head women's basketball coach," Renick said. "She brings to the university the experience and expertise needed to build our women's basketball program."

"We are fortunate to have someone of Saudia's caliber join us," adds Dr. Roselle Wilson, interim athletics director. "She will be a superb role model for our student-athletes."

Roundtree signed a five-year contract with the university on July 2.

A&T Names Saudia Roundtree Head Women's Basketball Coach Under Roundtree's leadership at Morris Brown, the women's basketball team went from Division II to Division I level. Prior to becoming interim coach, she served as basketball director for Suwanee Sports Academy.

She organized Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournaments, individual camps for boys and girls and exposure camps.

Former ABL star Saudia Roundtree (center), the newly appointed head coach of the women's basketball team at N.C. A&T, is pictured with Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Roselle Wilson and Chancellor James C. Renick at a press conference announcing her appointment.
PHOTO BY MORRELL PRIDGEN

An outstanding athlete, Roundtree played with the American Basketball League from 1996-98. The fiery point-guard was drafted during the first round. She played on the Atlanta Glory and Nashville Noise teams where she was second leading scorer and was selected to the All-Star Team. During that time, she also served as a women's sports commentator for Media One.

From 1995-96, Roundtree played on the University of Georgia women's basketball team. The dazzling ball handler was named Boost Naismith Player of the Year, Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and State Women's College Athlete of the Year by Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

From 1994-95, she played for the All-Southeastern Conference First Team and led the conference in assists.

She played for Kilgore Texas Junior College from 1992-94. During her tenure, she was named National Junior College Player of the Year and named to the All-Tournament Team.

In 1996, Roundtree signed a shoe endorsement with Reebok International, making her the first woman to have her own shoe with Reebok. The talented athlete has performed commercials with Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree and Don Cornelius.

Roundtree received an A.A. degree in criminal justice from Kilgore Junior College and a B. A. degree in sociology from the University of Georgia.