Dec. 17, 2003

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina athletics director Jeff Compher announced today the appointment of Debbie Hensley as Assistant Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator. She replaces Maria Ochoa, who accepted a similar position at Tulane and served at Western Carolina as an athletic trainer and administrator for over 11 years. Hensley, WCU's head soccer coach for the past five seasons, will remain in charge of the Catamount soccer program in addition to taking on her new administrative duties.

"Over the past five years, I have grown to embrace the mission and vision of this athletics department and University," Hensley said. "Becoming the next Senior Woman Administrator at Western Carolina will allow me to have a larger impact on the overall success of our athletics department and the student-athletes."

Hensley's additional role in the athletics department will include the administration of volleyball, women's basketball, women's tennis, men's cross country/track & field, women's cross country/women's track & field, men's golf and women's golf. She will also oversee the academic support program, coordinate the CHAMPS/Life Skills program and serve as advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).

"Debbie brings a wealth of coaching experience to our management team and an in-depth knowledge of Western Carolina University and, of course, our department," Compher said. "She is a proven winner who started a new team and built it into a conference championship program. She has a passion for the student-athlete experience and will use that energy to assist our SAAC as this organization continues to grow and represent their respective teams. As a former collegiate softball player, she is very connected to the softball community and will be a great resource as we begin our new softball program in 2005. She will be an outstanding administrator and will represent our department with distinction."

Hensley, who has compiled a career coaching record of 54-40-8 in five seasons, came to Western in February of 1999 as head soccer coach. Seven months later, Western Carolina fielded its first women's soccer team and she led the Cats to a 10-9-1 record while qualifying for the Southern Conference Tournament. Her record improved to 11-8-2 in 2000 and, in just its third year of existence, Hensley led Western Carolina to the 2001 Southern Conference regular-season title with a 16-6 overall record and an 8-2-0 league mark. For her effort, she was tabbed the league's Coach of the Year. WCU just missed an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, falling to UNC Greensboro in double-overtime in the SoCon title game. The Cats were considered for an at-large bid to the 2001 NCAA's as they were ranked as high as eighth in the highly-competitive Southeast Region.

In 2002, Western finished second in the league with a 7-1-2 record, while finishing 10-6-3 overall. This past season, battling numerous injuries, Western was 7-11-2 and, for the fifth consecutive season, qualified for the SoCon Championship.

Hensley has coached six players to a total of 10 All-Southern Conference honors in her tenure, including first team selections Jordan Howell, Jamie Pawlik and Mandi Tinsley. Nardia Moore, a three-time All-SoCon pick, and Kelly Barker were named to the Soccer Buzz All-National Team for first-year programs with Moore adding National Freshman of the Year for first-year programs as well. Moore and Howell were also recognized by Soccer Buzz in 2001 as All-Southeast Region team members.

Prior to coming to Western, Hensley spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Furman, recruiting eight players who went on to earn all-conference honors.

Her ties to the SoCon are strong as she was a standout in both soccer and softball at Georgia Southern. She was a three-time, first team All-SoCon soccer selection, leading the league in scoring as a junior and senior. An NSCAA All-Region pick, she was additionally selected to play in the prestigious Umbro Select College All Star Classic. Much like her coaching career at WCU began, Hensley's first year at Georgia Southern was the first time the Eagles sanctioned women's soccer. As a first baseman and outfielder on the softball team, Hensley was a first team All-SoCon pick as well as an All-Tournament selection for Georgia Southern. She set career records for runs scored and stolen bases. In 1995, Hensley was tabbed the Georgia Division IA/IAA College Female Athlete of the Year by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Hensley received her bachelor of science degree in Education from Georgia Southern in 1996 and a master of arts degree in Health and Exercise Science from Furman in 1998.