Wingate Names Barbara Nelson As Women’s Basketball Coach

Wingate, N.C. -- Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston announces the appointment of Barbara Nelson as head women's basketball coach. Nelson will be introduced to the Wingate University family during a Wednesday press conference. She replaces Johnny Jacumin, who retired at the end of the 2006-07 season following 27 seasons at the NCAA Division II school.

Nelson has served as the head varsity girls' basketball coach at Providence Day School in Charlotte for 21 seasons. She has compiled a 437-176 record with seven NCISAA state championships during her tenure with the Chargers. PDS was named the Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 champions five times. In addition, Providence Day won the CISAA basketball conference crown nine times under Nelson's watch.

In 2006-07, Nelson led the Chargers to a 30-4 overall record, a state title and a conference championship. The Charlotte Observer named Nelson its girls' basketball Coach of the Year for her efforts this season, the fourth time she has received this prestigious honor. Nelson has compiled a winning record in 19 of her 21 seasons with the Chargers. The 30 wins this year were a career-best for Nelson.

Barbara Nelson has ties to the South Atlantic Conference. She is a graduate of Presbyterian College with a B.S. degree in Psychology. A four-year letter winner in basketball for the Blue Hose, Nelson served two years on the Scotsman Club board for her alma mater. She coached three players who signed SAC scholarships, including current Carson-Newman College rising senior forward Tashea Ledbetter.

The accolades her Providence Day players have received could fill several scrapbooks. Konecka Drakeford was a two-time Parade All-American (1991 and 1993). Drakeford was the NCAA Division II Player of the Year her senior season at Johnson C. Smith University.

Both Drakeford and Natasha Brackett were named the Gatorade N.C. Player of the Year and N.C. Miss Basketball in 1993 and 2001, respectively. Brackett (Auburn) is one of four former Chargers to sign NCAA Division I scholarships. Drakeford (Israel and Turkey) and Brackett (Israel) have played professionally as well.

Nelson's involvement in the game of basketball extends beyond the Providence Day campus. A 12-year participant in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Nelson was a high school All-American selection committee member in 2006-07. She has been a Nike Basketball Camp Director from 1999 to the present.

She has coached AAU basketball (boys and girls) since 1986. Nelson was an assistant coach for an AAU 18 and under state and national championship team in 1986. She has coached the Charlotte Royals (boys), Charlotte Monarchs, Carolina Comets and N.C. Flight. Nelson spent two years as a floor coach for the WNBA Charlotte Sting during open and free-agent tryouts.

A much-in-demand clinician, speaker and student of the game, Nelson has worked and attended camps and clinics at Charlotte, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, Lipscomb, Gardner-Webb and Wingate. Nelson and her husband Vernon have two children: Quinn (17) and Haley (14).

"Barbara Nelson has an intensity and passion for the game of basketball," Steve Poston said. "Since our first interview, Coach Nelson has approached this opportunity with enthusiasm and excitement."

"She understands the balance an NCAA Division II student-athlete must achieve," Poston noted. "We want to offer each of our student-athletes a well-balanced experience athletically, academically, socially and spiritually. Barbara Nelson understands this concept very well."

"Her track record is proven; Barbara Nelson knows how to win," Poston added. "It is very important for us not to lose a step."

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution offering students active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, faith nurturing, career development and community service.

Wingate offers more than 37 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers pre-professional programs and graduate degrees in business, education, physical education and sport administration.

In the spring of 2007, Wingate University will award its first-ever doctor of pharmacy degrees. Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports.

What They Are Saying…
…about new Wingate University head women's basketball coach Barbara Nelson

University of Miami head coach Katie Meier:

"Congratulations to Wingate University on an awesome hire! The administration and the entire Wingate family should know that the University is adding a very high quality individual...to the Bulldog family."

"Barbara Nelson's win-loss record is astounding. With regards to the total collegiate experience, you will not find a better mentor or leader than Barbara Nelson."

"Barbara Nelson can coach the highest level athlete. She can attract the highest level athlete (to Wingate University). More importantly, she will recruit the highest level student-athlete, a true student-athlete…who will put academics first."