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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2007

For More Information: Annette Barnette
Public Relations & Marketing Director
����ֱ�� State College
����ֱ��, West Virginia
(304) 462-4115

����ֱ��, WV – A 2001-2004 ����ֱ�� State College women’s basketball team star athlete is returning home to her Alma Mater, but not to play…instead she will be coaching. GSC President Dr. Peter Barr announced during a July 19, 2007 press conference that former Lady Pioneers point guard Tracy Wyatt Raban is the new Lady Pioneers Head Basketball Coach.

Barr said, “After conducting an extensive search for the new Lady Pioneers head women's basketball coach, I am pleased Tracy showed interest in the job and accepted the position. It's great to be able to announce a star athlete is coming home to ����ֱ�� State College to now serve in a leadership role in our Pioneer athletic program .”

Wyatt Raban says she is honored to be offered this opportunity. "I feel like this is a great opportunity for me to better myself. What better place to go and be a coach...your alma mater and a place where you know you have the community's support. I have always wanted to be a college basketball coach and why not begin this dream back at your alma mater. I am looking forward to working with and leading the Women's Basketball team. I intend to continue to push the girls just as they have been in the past, still setting high goals, and being successful within the WVIAC," said Wyatt Raban. Barr says Tracy brings new dimensions to the Lady Pioneers Basketball Program. “Not only does she bring youth and vitality, she brings a history of being both a very successful coach and a highly successful player. Thus, she has a deeper understanding of the requirements and rigors of both positions,” said Barr.

Barr also says Tracy was a valuable team member when she played three years of basketball at ����ֱ�� State College. Her athletic talent helped her team capture three regular season championships, two WVIAC tournament titles, and an East Region Championship as well as advance to the NCAA II semi-finals. “As an athlete, she was a great point guard, an outstanding role model, and a tremendous competitor. I'm confident she will use those same qualities as our new coach in the upcoming season,” said Barr.

Wyatt Raban graduated from ����ֱ�� State College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education: PreK-12. She then began teaching at Tazewell Middle School in Tazewell, Virginia and also coached the girls’ basketball team at Graham High School in Bluefield, Virginia, where she was named Coach of the Year for the Southwest District last year.

She is relocating to ����ֱ�� with her new husband, Dana Raban, who also attended ����ֱ�� State College and played on the GSC football team. Wyatt Raban replaces longtime GSC Head Women’s Basketball Coach Steve Harold, who resigned earlier this year to pursue other opportunities.

TRACY WYATT RABAN BIO

High School: Attended Mercer Christian Academy (won State Tournament 2 years
College: 2000-2001 Bluefield State College *Named Freshman of the Year for the WVIAC

2001-2004 ����ֱ�� State College*2-time WVIAC Player of the Year, 3-time WVIAC First Team, 2002 First Team East Region, NCAA Division II Daktronics 2nd and 3rd Team All-American, 2-time Kodak All-American, 2002 Elite 8 All Tournament Team, Hold National Record for most free throws made (16 for 16), *2-time Neal Baisi Award Winner, GSC Williams Award Winner (2005), Student Assistant for GSC Women’s Basketball team 2004-2005

Degree: Graduated from ����ֱ�� State College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education: PreK-12