FORT MYERS, Fla. – Former FGCU basketball player
Amanda Pierce has been named the program's director of basketball operations under head coach
Karl Smesko.
In her new role, Pierce will oversee the logistical aspects of team travel, manange the team's schedule and perform a multitude other duties for the program based on needs. Pierce replaces
Jenna Cobb who was promoted to assistant coach during the offseason.
"Our program is very happy to announce the addition of Mandi," said head coach
Karl Smesko. "She is someone who meshes very well with the members of our staff, and she is well prepared for the role she will have."
Pierce, who played guard for the Green and Blue from 2006-08, completes an all-FGCU women's basketball alumni staff for the program, joining associate head coach
Chelsea Banbury (formerly Dermyer; 2006-08), assistant coach
Chelsea Lyles (2008-10), assistant coach
Jenna Cobb (2013-15) and video coordinator
Stephanie Haas (2012-15).
"I'm extremely excited to return to the FGCU women's basketball family," said Pierce. "This is an amazing program, and I'm so honored that Coach Smesko has given me this opportunity."
Pierce graduated from FGCU after a two-year playing career with the Eagles. Her final season marked FGCU's first year as a Division I program. As a senior, Pierce averaged 28.0 minutes, 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds, helping the team to an appearance in the WNIT. A member of the ASUN All-Academic Team, Pierce finished the season ranked seventh in 3-pt pct. and 11th in 3-pt FG made in the conference. As a junior, the 5-9 guard saw action in 33 games with 10 starts and shot 41.6% from behind the arc.
Pierce transferred to FGCU from St. Bonaventure following her sophomore season. During her two years as a Bonnie, Pierce played in 52 games, earning 28 starts.
Born in the Philippines, Pierce graduated from Altoona (Pa.) Area HS. She received her bachelor's degree in resort and hospitality management from FGCU in 2008.
FGCU will enter 2016-17 as winners of six-straight ASUN regular-season championships after compiling its fourth perfect league season in five years in 2015-16. Led by the 2016 espnW Mid-Major Coach of the Year Smesko, last year's team finished its historic season with a league mark of 14-0. The club won a program-record five games in the WNIT – including at home over Michigan in the semifinals in front of a standing-room-only program record 4,633 fans – before falling just short in the final game at South Dakota.
The Eagles lost eight seniors to graduation off that team, but return one of the nation's best shooters in
Taylor Gradinjan (Cudahy, Wisc./Cudahy High School). In addition to Gradinjan and four others who saw playing time during 2015-16, transfer
China Dow (Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy of Louisville/Middle Tennessee State) becomes eligible for the start of next season and is expected to make an immediate impact for the Green and Blue, who recently completed an eight-player incoming class.
ABOUT KARL SMESKO
Smesko has guided the Eagles to 12-straight 20+ win seasons. He maintains a record of 378-73 at FGCU for a win percentage of .838 with a mark of 145-13 (.917) in ASUN contests and has led the team to an 81-1 record in conference play in the last five seasons. Smesko earned his 400th career win last season in just 493 career games – two contests faster than UConn's Geno Auriemma – and holds a career record of 439-100 (.815). Smesko ranks among an elite list of just four active D-I coaches with a career win percentage of .800 or higher, joining Auriemma, Baylor's Kim Mulkey and Stanford's Tara VanDerveer in the esteemed group.
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the women's basketball program, follow @FGCU_WBB on Twitter and Instagram and Like us on Facebook at /FGCUWBB.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
