St. Augustine’s Names Ron Woodard Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach

Raleigh, NC – Ron Woodard was officially named Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Woodard is a well-respected coach in the CIAA and the country. He brings a wealth of collegiate coaching experience to SAU.

“I’ve known Coach Woodard since his days as a college student,” SAU Director of Athletics George Williams said. “He has always displayed character, knowledge, and expertise, which will be tremendous assets to our athletic department.”

Woodard has been a successful head and assistant basketball coach during his illustrious career. His overall record as head coach is 165-99, including a 44-6 mark in two seasons as Head Men’s Coach at Virginia University of Lynchburg. He was 121-93 in 11 seasons as Head Men’s Coach at Claflin University.

During his time at Claflin, Woodard guided the Panthers through a successful transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Under his leadership, the Panthers won the NAIA’s Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 2005 and the NCAA’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) regular-season title in 2009. Woodard was selected SIAC Coach of the Year after posting the best record (24-2) of any HBCU program in 2007-08.

“I am thrilled to add Coach Woodard to the basketball staff,” SAU Head Coach Montel Jones said. “He is a veteran coach who is passionate about his profession. He will help make the program better.”

Woodard arrived at Virginia University of Lynchburg after one season at Elizabeth City State University as Interim Head Women’s Basketball Coach.

Woodard was previously at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in a variety of coaching roles from 1988 to 2001. He was Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach from 1989 to 1995 and Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach from 1995 to 2000. Woodard was a Special Assistant to the Athletic Director from 2000 to 2001.

The Eagles appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament five times during Woodard’s tenure with the men’s basketball team. They captured the NCAA Division II national crown in 1989 and advanced to the Elite Eight twice after winning the region.

Woodard was an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Kentucky State University for two seasons before heading to NCCU for the first time. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team and as a football staff assistant at Norfolk State University, his alma mater, from 1981 to 1985.

Woodard graduated from Norfolk State with a Bachelor of Science Degree in health and physical education in 1981. He received his Masters of Arts Degree in curriculum development and supervision administration in 1986.

For more info on St. Augustine’s University Athletics: http://www.saintaugfalcons.com/