Women's Basketball | 6/7/2018 10:06:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston and head women's basketball coach Ann Hancock announce the hiring of Katelyn Grisillo as assistant coach. The USC Aiken graduate spent the previous two years as a graduate assistant coach for the Bulldogs, helping Wingate compile a 52-12 overall record. Grisillo replaces Celeste Stewart, who took an assistant coaching position at East Carolina (her alma mater).
 
"Although we are sad to see Celeste Stewart move on to advance her coaching career at East Carolina, we are delighted to have Katelyn Grisillo move up the ladder into a full-time assistant coaching role," Hancock says. "She excelled in all phases of the program as a graduate assistant. Her passion and enthusiasm for the game are infectious. She truly loves what she does and wants to help those around her reach their goals."
 
Grisillo helped with every facet of the Wingate program during her time as a graduate assistant coach. She assisted with scouting and recruiting. Grisillo coordinated travel arrangements for away games, ran study hall and handled Wingate's film exchange and coaching highlight tapes. In addition, she maintained the program's budget records.
 
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Coach Hancock has given me to extend my time here at Wingate University," Grisillo says. "As the end of my stint as the GA neared, I said that working at Wingate set the standard for what I hoped to find in all my coaching endeavors moving forward. It is a privilege to stay on and be a part of the winning program Coach Hancock has created."
 
On the court, Grisillo worked with the WU post players as the Bulldogs compiled a 15-0 home record last year. Wingate has won 22 straight home games, dating to Grisillo's first season on the Bulldog bench. Grisillo and the Bulldogs compiled a 26-6 overall record during the 2017-18 season. Wingate made the NCAA Division II play-offs for a South Atlantic Conference-best 16th time. Senior center Marta Miscenko ('18, Riga, Latvia) was the SAC co-Player of the Year, earning a spot on the All-Southeast Region, All-SAC and All-State teams.
 
During the 2016-17 season, Grisillo helped Wingate (26-6 overall) win the South Atlantic Conference tournament title. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast regional tournament semi-finals. Two post players (Miscenko and Danasia Witherspoon) were named to the All-SAC teams.

Grisillo played in all 28 games as a USC Aiken senior, earning 16 starts. The point guard from Charleston, South Carolina finished second on the team with 46 assists, tallying nearly a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Grisillo dished out a season-high five assists against Columbus State and registered a pair of steals against Francis Marion.

As a junior, Grisillo saw time in 17 games, netting six starts. She posted a season-best seven points against Carson-Newman. Grisillo dished out a career-high six assists against Livingstone and grabbed five boards against Carson-Newman.

Prior to her arrival at USC Aiken, Grisillo spent her first two seasons playing at Presbyterian College. She played in 26 games for the PC Blue Hose. Grisillo buried 42.9 percent of her shots from the floor. She posted her first career points, rebound and steal against Georgia and also tallied a bucket at Virginia Tech.

Grisillo was a LIFE scholarship recipient at USC Aiken. In addition, she was also awarded a Carolina One Michael O'Shaughnessy scholarship. Grisillo was a Presidential Scholar, made the Dean's List and was part of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society.

Grisillo was also a camp coach and counselor at Bishop England High School and Presbyterian College. She was also an assistant coach for Aiken Elite AAU.

Throughout her two seasons at USC Aiken, she interned with the sports information office and hosted over 100 video interviews with student-athletes and coaches. Grisillo graduated with a B.A. in communications with a minor in business administration. In May 2018, she received a master's degree in sport management from Wingate.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
 
Wingate head women's basketball coach Ann Hancock: "Katelyn approaches every day as an opportunity to learn more about the game. She brings a youthful exuberance which is refreshing. Katelyn is mature both basketball-wise and personally beyond her years. We are very fortunate to be able to keep her in the Wngate family."
 
Wingate assistant women's basketball coach Katelyn Grisillo: "The interaction with people working across this campus, in the athletic department and the ladies on this team…make this experience even more special. I'm excited to continue to learn from one of the best and help this team grow however I can!"
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 12 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 100 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 109 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.