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For Immediate Release: June 25, 2009
Contact: Annette Barnette
Public Relations & Marketing Director
����ֱ�� State College
����ֱ��, West Virginia
(304) 462-4115

����ֱ��, WV – ����ֱ�� State College Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Stephen Dye has been named the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the Pioneers. “This is one of my dream jobs. I love ����ֱ�� and its people. They took me into their family two years ago as one of their own,” said Dye.

Dye replaces Dwaine Osborne who stepped down from the job earlier this month to accept a men’s basketball coaching position at the University of Texas Permian Basin. Dye said, “I am excited about this and grateful to Dr. Barr, Janet Bailey, and the search committee for this opportunity.”

Dye is a native of Whitesville, West Virginia in Boone County but now resides in ����ֱ��. He came to ����ֱ�� State College in 2007 after serving as an assistant coach at fellow WVIAC member Davis & Elkins College during the 2006-07 season. He is a 2006 graduate of Alderson-Broaddus College where he served as a men’s basketball coach student assistant. While being an outstanding player, he helped lead the Battlers to four WVIAC regular season championships, three WVIAC tournament championships, and four NCAA II national tournament berths. Individual accomplishments include being named the WVIAC Freshman of the Year and receiving the WVIAC Honorable Mention All-Conference during his sophomore year as well as the WVIAC Second Team All-Conference and WVIAC First Team All-Conference awards respectively during his junior and senior years. Dye also broke the NCAA record for three-point shots made in a career with 444.

GSC President Dr. Peter Barr announced Dye’s promotion after a seven-member search committee made the recommendation. “Stephen has a great deal of experience with coaching, players, and in the WVIAC. I have always been very impressed with not only his coaching skills but also his character and values as an individual. I know he will do a great job," said Barr.

Search Committee Chairperson Tim Butcher said, “We had approximately one hundred applicants for the job and worked diligently and quickly to find the most qualified candidates to interview. I believe Stephen Dye is one of the brightest young coaches brought to this campus in recent years and know he will do a fantastic job.”

GSC Athletic Director Janet Bailey said, “It is good to see Coach Dye receive this opportunity to lead the team and incorporate his own philosophy, strategies, and coaching style into our basketball program.”

Dye says he will promote ����ֱ�� State College’s tight-knit family campus, safe community, and quality education as he recruits new players for the upcoming season. “I will encourage my players to keep their grade point averages up and earn their degrees while learning to work as part of a team...lessons that will help them be more marketable for careers after they graduate from college,” said Dye.

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Annette Barnette Public Relations & Marketing Director ����ֱ�� State College