Katz to Lead Wasps Women's Hoops

Joins Emory & Henry from Widener University

EMORY, Va. – Emory & Henry College has selected Rose Katz as its next Head Women’s Basketball Coach, College officials announced Monday. Katz becomes the Wasps’ third head coach in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference era.

“Rose will be a great addition to our coaching staff,” said Emory & Henry Director of Athletics Myra Sims.  “When she came to interview, she connected immediately with the student-athletes she met and with other members of our staff.  She is someone who cares deeply that her student-athletes have the same great experience that she had as a D-III women’s basketball athlete.”

Katz comes to Emory from Widener University in Chester, Pa., where she has served as an assistant coach for the past three seasons. She has been responsible for academic progress, film exchange, team travel, fundraisers and recruiting in addition to her on-court responsibilities.

The Pride won the Commonwealth Conference Championship in 2008-09, advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Over her three years on staff, Widener notched a 53-29 record. Her collegiate experience also includes coaching two All-Commonwealth Conference first-teamers as well as the league’s rookie of the year.

“[Rose] has great energy for recruiting, and understands that an organized and effective approach to recruiting will be vital in moving the program forward,” continued Sims.  “She has a well-defined plan for creating the type of winning culture that we need for the program.  She is a strong communicator and with her vision for the program, I am confident that she will lead our women’s basketball program to contention within the ODAC.”

In addition to coaching at the college level, Katz has extensive experience coaching AAU basketball.  In September of 2004, Katz became the Head Coach of the South Jersey Jazz. In both 2006 and 2007, the Jazz were in the top 10 at the AAU National tournament with sixth- and eighth-place finishes, respectively. For the 2008 season, Katz moved to the Philadelphia Belles, a team that won the 2008 Boo Williams Tournament and finished second in the USJN Tournament in Washington, D.C. In her AAU experience, Katz coached the Philadelphia Inquirer’s 2008-09 and the 2009-10 South Jersey High School Player of the Year.

“I am honored and very excited for the opportunity to become the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Emory & Henry,” commented Katz.  “The athletic staff and the student-athletes have welcomed me, and I can’t wait to start rebuilding a great basketball tradition here at E&H.”

As an undergraduate, Katz played four years of basketball at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. A team captain her senior year, Katz led the Bulldogs to a 26-4 record in the 2007-08 season, winning the Freedom Conference Championship and reaching the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen. DeSales also won the ECAC Division III Southern Championship in 2004-05 and held a record of 65-39 over Katz’ career.

“I am very grateful to all the coaches and players I have worked with in the past,” added Katz. “I also recognize the tremendous support of family and friends who have always been there for me.  I would not have this wonderful opportunity without their encouragement and confidence.”

Katz received a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management at DeSales in May of 2008, and completed her Master of Science in sport management from Drexel University in June of 2010.

This release is courtesy of the Emory & Henry College sports information department.