SALEM, Va. --- Carla Flaherty will
serve as the new head coach of the Roanoke College women's
basketball program announced by Director of Athletics, Scott
Allison, on Monday. Flaherty steps into the role previously
held by Susan
Dunagan, who retired after 33 Years at the helm of
the women's basketball program.
"We're pleased to welcome Carla to our staff. She's a
great fit for us," said Allison. "At Bates College, Carla
developed her NCAA Division III roots. As a player at Bates
she was one of their all-time greats. She stayed on as an
assistant, cutting her recruiting "teeth" in the NESCAC, an elite
Division III conference. Most recently, as the Head Coach at
Lasell College, Carla took over a neophyte program. In four short
years, she turned Lasell into a competitive Division III
program."
Flaherty comes to Salem after spending four years as Head
Women's Basketball Coach at Lasell College. In the 2013-14
season, she guided the Lasers to a record of 12-14 and the team's
first Great Northeast Athletic Conference post-season appearance in
program history.
Prior to her time at Lasell, Flaherty spent six years as the
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at her alma mater, Bates College
from 2004-2010. During that six year span, Flaherty aided the
Bobcats to a record of 104-53, which included four NESCAC
Tournament appearances, along with a NCAA Division III Tournament
Sectionals appearance in the 2004-05 season. Also during her
time at Bates College, she served as the Interim Head Women's
Soccer Coach in 2008, as well as the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
from 2005-07.
"I am excited to join the Roanoke family with
its rich history that is evident within the athletic
department and the surrounding campus community," said
Flaherty. "I am honored to take over the reins from a true
coaching legend. I look forward to working with the women's
basketball team to achieve excellence both on and off the
court."
Flaherty inherits a women's basketball program that is coming
off of a 13-13 season and advanced to the ODAC Tournament
Quarterfinals. The team also returns three starters,
including Tatum
McKee, who was the team's leading rebounder with
7.2 rebounds per game. McKee is joined also
by Kelsey
Smith as the pair averaged over nine points
per game in the 2013-14 season.
Flaherty received her bachelor's degree from Bates College in
2003, where she was a four-year two sport athlete in basketball and
softball. As a Bobcat, she finished her basketball career
with 1,143 points, the fifth highest point total in program history
at the time. Her success on the hardwood earned her
All-NESCAC First Team, All-Maine Women's Basketball Coaches
Association First Team and All New England honors from
d3hoops.com. She continued her education with a Master's of
Science in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire
University in 2010.
Flaherty's position will begin effective September
1.
--- This release
is courtesy of the Roanoke College sports information department.
---
maroons.roanoke.edu