WSSU Head Women’s Basketball Coach to step down after 2009-10
November 2, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Winston-Salem State University head women’s basketball coach Dee Stokes has announced that she will step down following the 2009-10 season as she looks to pursue a career outside of the coaching profession.
Stokes, WSSU’s head women’s basketball coach since April of 2006 has announced that she will fulfill her four year contract and will step away from coaching following the completion of this season as she hopes to begin a career in educational administration.
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“God has called me to something greater” Stokes said. “I believe he’s called me to work at a Christian school in administration. That is my path for the future. God has called me away from coaching and that is clear” she added.
A long-tenured coach, Stokes has spent the last 16 years coaching, eight of them as a head coach the last four of which she has spent leading the Lady Rams.
Stokes has compiled a 17-69 record in three seasons at WSSU and holds a career head coaching record of 67-121.
Despite the on-court difficulties, Stokes says that her decision to step away from coaching had nothing to do with her record.
“Recently I’ve gone through a lot of things personally,” she said. “I lost three people who were very close to me since May, the hardest of which was the loss of my mom. I now know that God was preparing me for the next stage in my life and I truly believe that. I had to get through all those things, and I’m not leaving here to get another coaching job” Stokes added.
Stokes informed WSSU Interim Director of Athletics, Tonia Walker and other WSSU administrators of her decision prior to the start of the academic year and informed her players before the start of preseason practice.
“I am looking forward to my last season on the bench. I still want to win. I’m a competitor and I will truly enjoy this season,” she said.
Stokes, who played two years at Wake Forest University before transferring to UNC-Charlotte where she received her undergraduate degree has a master’s degree in public administration and is currently pursuing her doctorate in education.
“This is not a career change for me. This is a life change. God has called me to do something greater, and I am looking forward to that challenge” Stokes said.
Stokes will begin her final season on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. as she leads the Lady Rams versus Southern Virginia in an exhibition game at the C.E. Gaines Center.
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