WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NEWS

LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION

Sports Release                                                                                                                      May 9, 2008

Just Leaving Lady Railsplitter Program 

HARROGATE, TN – Lincoln Memorial University women’s basketball coach Larry Just has decided to make the trip home so to speak.  On Friday morning, University athletics officials made public the announcement that Just, a Louisville, Kentucky native will be leaving the Lady Railsplitter program to take over the helm of the Oldham County High School girl’s basketball position.

More than a year ago, Just was hired to take over the Lady Railsplitter basketball program following the retirement of longtime Head Coach Roger Vannoy who was stepping down after 25 years at the helm of the LMU women’s program.  “I would like to thank Dr. Moody and Roger Vannoy for the opportunity to be a part of the Lincoln Memorial University family,” said Just.  “When I accepted the job a year ago, there was never intent to leave Lincoln Memorial University so soon.  There are many great people associated with the school and athletic programs.” 

Last season Just and the Lady Railsplitters began the new era of Lincoln Memorial University women’s basketball with a 13-15 record, ending the year in the first round of the 2008 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament.  “I was recently approached about a coaching and teaching opportunity at Oldham County High School in Kentucky, in which I accepted,” said Just.  “My family has always been important to me.  This opportunity will give my wife and kids an opportunity to be with family on a regular basis.  I regret that I will not have the opportunity to coach next year’s team at Lincoln Memorial University.  I think they have had a great spring and are determined to change things here in terms of wins and losses.”

The Lady Railsplitters lost three players to graduation follow the 2007-08 season.  “I hope that in my short time at Lincoln Memorial University, I have been able to have a positive impact on the women’s basketball program.  “I will continue to monitor the program from a distance,” says Just.  “Besides the administration, I would like to thank everyone that was associated with the program, which includes the training staff, the LMU community and the fans that were so supportive of our mission.  I wish nothing but the best for the women’s players and program at Lincoln Memorial University.”

The timing of Just’s departure while somewhat inconvenient, gives LMU Athletics Director Roger Vannoy the task of finding his successor.  “We had 38 applications by the end of the second day the position was posted,” said Vannoy.  “We have had several really impressive applications and I believe we will find the right person for the job.”

The Lady Railsplitters return a solid nucleus of players for the 2008-09 season including Second Team All-South Atlantic Conference junior Andi Winney (Yorktown, IN) and 2008 South Atlantic Conference All-Freshman Team member Stephanie Wagner (Elkhart, IN).  “Whoever is hired to take over as head coach, the person will come in with a group of talented players,” said LMU Sports Information Director and Play-by-Play Announcer Rusty Peace.  “We lost four games last season by four points or less.  A rebound here or a three pointer there and we finish 17-11 and that’s not a bad record in this league.”  

The application process for the Lincoln Memorial University women’s basketball position is still open however, University officials feel they are getting close to announcing the Lady Railsplitter’s next head coach.  An announcement could come as early as late next week. 

-LMU-