By Jeff Kontz, sports editor
RaeAnn Boothe will be the new head women’s basketball coach at Friends University.
In March, athletic director Joe Zimmerman made the decision to go in a new direction with the Friends women’s basketball team, and as of last week the position has been filled.
Boothe is a Florida native who has spent six years as an assistant coach after a knee injury ended her college career at Warner University.
"I believe she brings a fresh approach and new energy to the program,” said Zimmerman. “She has very good communication skills, good basketball knowledge, and knows how to recruit and create a team atmosphere.”
This is Boothe’s first head coaching position, but Zimmerman is confident she will do positive things for the program as she has handled many of the basketball coaching aspects as an assistant.
Previously, Boothe was an assistant for four years at her alma mater, NAIA Division 1 school Brenau University in Georgia. Before that, she was an assistant at Warner University in her home state of Florida. Warner, like Friends, is an NAIA Division 2 school.
Boothe graduated from Brenau with a bachelor’s degree in education followed by a master’s in organizational leadership.
April 15 was Boothe’s first official day as the head coach on Friends’ campus, and she has already made a positive impact on the team.
“I believe it is necessary to have a good foundation and get everyone together and create a family atmosphere,” said Boothe.
“We love her,” said Friends player Keley Porter with teammates Minta Whetstone and Abby Maurer chiming in agreement.
“We are setting a foundation to build off of, and with her we know we can,” said Porter.
Because of off-season restrictions, Boothe is only allowed to observe open-gym sessions and not interact or coach the players yet. However, through the off-season conditioning program she has made for the team, it is apparent that Boothe is serious about creating a successful program.
“It starts with discipline and good work ethic, and I think most the girls have bought into it already,” said Boothe.
Recruiting has also begun to take place, and in Boothe’s trip back to Florida this week she was intent on talking to recruits with whom she has had previous connections.
“We’re looking for anyone -- anyone that can help to build this program,” said Boothe.
Look for the Falcons to build off their .500 record from this past season and take a new team attitude into the 2010-11 season.