Bethune-Cookman Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson officially announced last week the appointment of Vanessa Inge as head coach for the women's basketball program at B-CU. Inge comes to B-CU after serving for nine years as the head women's basketball coach at Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md. where she earned a career record of 120-135.

While at Mount St. Mary's, she was a record setter as both a player and coach. Inge is the former Vanessa Blair who last year married Mount St. Mary's men's basketball standout Riley Inge.

"I'm excited about the B-CU family," expressed Inge. "I'm thankful to Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed (University President), Mr. Lynn Thompson and Sandra Booker (Senior Woman Administrator) for this tremendous opportunity to serve Bethune-Cookman University as their head women's basketball coach.

The decision to join the Wildcats' family was an easy one once I saw how much the university supported the women's basketball program and athletics in general. I'm honored to be part of such a historic university with a storied athletic program."

Inge, who took over the reigns of the women's basketball team at Mount St. Mary's prior to the 1998-99 campaign, guided the women's squad to a 21-7 overall record and a Northeast Conference regular season crown. Inge’s remarkable debut season earned her NEC Coach of the Year honors—making her the first and only person in league history to have been named both Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in their career.

She spent all of last year out of basketball and in the corporate sector but was eager to return to the sport that has meant so much to her throughout her life. In addition to her player and coach of the year awards, Inge earned Northeast Conference Player of the Decade honors on the 10th anniversary of NEC women's basketball. One of three Mountaineers to make the six-member NEC Team of the Decade, Inge was named the top player in the NEC from 1985-1995. She was also one of three Mountaineer players to be named to both the 20th and 25th NEC Anniversary team.