Pate named new Lady Bison assistant coach

Former Lipscomb basketball player Katie Beth Pate has been named as an assistant coach for the Lady Bisons.

"We are excited that Katie Beth Pate is moving to a full time assistant position with our program," said Lipscomb coach Frank Bennett. "She has done an excellent job with the expanding responsibilities in her work with us. She is a hard worker and a great people person. She will help our recruiting and many other aspects of our program."

Pate, 23, was a dominating shot blocker and rebounder in the Atlantic Sun Conference. She earned All- Atlantic Sun Second Team honors in 2003-2004 and was also the conference tournament MVP for 2003-2004. The Lady Bisons won the A-Sun Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the history of the program.

In the NCAA era for the Lady Bisons Pate holds school records for offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and blocked shots.

Last season she served as a graduate assistant coach for the Lady Bisons. Pate received her B.S. in Health and Physical Education in December of 2006. She will continue to work on her Masters in Education Administration at Lipscomb.

"I am so excited about getting this job," Pate said. "Lipscomb University and the Lady Bison basketball program have been huge blessings in my life.

"I have enjoyed working with the other coaches this past year and feel honored they have allowed me this opportunity. The Lady Bison program is headed for great things. I am looking forward to being a part and continuing the tradition of excellence Coach Bennett has established. "

Pate is from Norcross, Ga. She played high school basketball at Greater Atlanta Christian School.

She is the daughter of Meg and Tom Pate. She has an older brother, Tom Ed, who lives in Memphis; and a younger sister, Sarah Grace, who will be a sophomore at Lipscomb this fall.