Ann Hancock - Women's Basketball Coach - East Carolina University Athletics

Ann Hancock

Title:
Women's Basketball Assistant Coach

Ann Hancock is set to begin her second season as an assistant coach for the East Carolina women[apos]s basketball program. In 10 seasons as the head coach at UNC Wilmington, Hancock became the program[apos]s leader in victories at the NCAA Division I level. She reached another personal milestone during the 2007-08 campaign, becoming just the second coach in the school[apos]s history to amass 100 wins when the Seahawks defeated East Carolina Dec. 20. Under Hancock[apos]s watch, the program accomplished many firsts. Cherie Lea was honored as the institution[apos]s first Dean Ehlers Award recipient in women[apos]s basketball following the 2003-04 season while the 2002-03 squad produced the Seahawks[apos] first 20-win campaign as a member of the NCAA. The squad was 22-6 overall and ranked in the Top 10 nationally in scoring defense and defensive field goal percentage. Hancock was named CAA Coach-of-the-Year, becoming the only coach-of-the-year award recipient in the program[apos]s 34-year history. A native of Elizabethtown, N.C., Hancock previously served as an assistant for Sylvia Hatchell[apos]s UNC Chapel Hill program for eight seasons and was an integral part of Hatchell[apos]s staff from 1992-2000. Hancock helped the Tar Heels win the national championship in 1994 and capture Atlantic Coast Conference titles in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998. Hancock earned a bachelor[apos]s degree in English from Wingate University in 1992 before receiving her master of arts in exercise and sports science (sports administration) from North Carolina in 2000. As a player at Wingate, she excelled both on and off the court. She was a four-time all-conference and all-district performer, leading the Bulldogs to a combined 103-23 record and four postseason trips during her stint. Hancock served as team captain for three years and led Wingate in scoring as a senior with 19.9 points per game. She was one of 52 regional candidates for the second annual NCAA Woman-of-the-Year award in recognition of her achievements in athletics, academics and community service. Hancock was the 1991-92 NCAA Division II female winner of the Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Award, sponsored by the University Sertoma Club in Columbus, Ohio, and also received the 1992 South Atlantic Conference President Award as the top student-athlete in the league. In addition to her academic and athletic success at Wingate, Hancock served as senior class vice president and was active in volunteer work. She won the Budd E. and Ethel K. Smith Cup, which is awarded to the graduating senior who has made an outstanding contribution through leadership. In 1998, she was inducted into the Wingate Athletic Hall of Fame. Hancock, a four-year starter at East Bladen High School, ranks 15th on the all-time prep scoring list in North Carolina and fifth since the adoption of the five-player rule in girl[apos]s basketball. An active member of the Women[apos]s Basketball Coaches Association, Hancock has participated in YES clinics and Coaches vs. Cancer Clinics. She has also served as the conference captain for women[apos]s basketball with the Colonial Athletic Association.