Former H-SC standout/assistant prepares to guide the Garnet and Grey

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. --- What better person to become Hampden-Sydney's next head basketball coach than one of her very own.

Hampden-Sydney Athletic Director Joe Bush announced today that former Tiger basketball standout Dee Vick has accepted the offer to become the eighteenth head coach in the history of Hampden-Sydney's basketball program. Vick, who served the last five years as the top assistant under former Hampden-Sydney Hall of Fame basketball coach Tony Shaver at The College of William and Mary, returns to his alma mater following the departure of Bubba Smith.

"It is an awesome feeling to become the head coach at my alma mater," Vick said. "Hampden-Sydney is an incredibly special place and returning to the community with my family is a dream come true."

"We will work hard to sustain the excellence the men's basketball program demonstrated under Coach Shaver's and Coach Smith's leadership. Coach Shaver is one of the best coaches in the country. Working with him has been invaluable both professionally and personally. I hope I can make him proud."

"Following in Coach Smith's footsteps will also be challenging as he led the team to two ODAC championships in five years. The league's competitiveness is at an all-time high and I have great respect for the ODAC and its coaches.

"I want to thank Coach Shaver, Coach Joe Bush, Dr. Bortz, Dr. Baker, Anita Garland and Dave Wilson Class of '63 for the opportunity. Without their leadership and support this wouldn't be possible."

Vick played four years of basketball during his tenure at Hampden-Sydney under Shaver, starting for three seasons at shooting guard. He helped the Tigers to a combined record of 79-31 (.718), which included a pair of Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships and two appearances in the NCAA Division III Sweet 16.

Vick graduated from The College in the spring of 1994 with a degree in psychology and consequently teamed up with Shaver in the coaching ranks. Vick and Shaver led the Tiger hoops squad to an astounding 118-28 (.808) record, four NCAA Division III Tournament berths, and an appearance in the national championship game in 1999, where the 29-3 Tigers ultimately fell to Wisconsin-Platteville in an epic, double-overtime affair.

Vick made it clear that his prime objective is to make sure Hampden-Sydney continues to be featured in the national spotlight.

"Our expectations will remain the same and that will be to win conference championships and compete at a national level," said Vick.  "I will never forget the double-overtime loss to Wisconsin-Platteville in the 1999 national championship game. We have some unfinished business and I hope we can hang that elusive national championship banner one day."

Following his time with Hampden-Sydney, Vick moved on to assist at East Carolina University for two seasons. In 2001-02, Vick served as a special assistant to Dave Odom at the University of South Carolina, the same season that the Gamecocks advanced to the championship game of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Following that season, Vick left Columbia for an assistant position at the College of Charleston in 2002-03, where he helped guide the Cougars to a 25-8 record and berth in the NIT.

Vick joined his former college coach at William and Mary in 2003-04, and along with Shaver, had been a vital asset to the recent rise of the Tribe basketball program. Last season, the Tribe narrowly missed the first Colonial Athletic Association title in program history, advancing to the CAA title game for the first time ever before falling to George Mason University.

Vick's wealth of coaching experience at the Division I level certainly makes him a tremendous choice to lead the Tigers. His personal experiences on the hardwood and in the assistant's chair on The Hill made Hampden-Sydney a perfect choice for Vick.

"The College works hard to attract and develop outstanding student-athletes and I am excited to be a part of that process once again," Vick said.  "The former players have a lot invested in The College and, in particular, the men's basketball program. To them, I promise to diligently work to make them proud."

With the Dee Vick era on the horizon, Bush took the time to express the excitement and gratitude of many Tiger hoops fans.

"I am especially pleased that we are able to find such a qualified former player and coach to continue the Hampden-Sydney college basketball tradition of excellence," said Bush.  "Coach Vick brings to The College a wealth of experience, both as a recruiter and coach. He is a perfect fit for the position."