Sept. 11, 2002

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina University women's volleyball head coach Angell Benson announced that Mitch Landrum has joined her staff as the new assistant coach.

Landrum brings thorough knowledge and skill of volleyball through academic and personal experience. He most recently served as the assistant coach at the University of Montevallo (1999-2001). While there, he helped the team qualify for a NCAA Regional Championship, led the team to a 30-9 record in 2000, produce four All-Conference players and coach a team which ranked regionally the entire 2000 season.

Prior to that, Landrum was the assistant coach at Carson Newman College in 1998. He additionally spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina at Aiken (1995-1997). While there, he helped the team secure the Peach Belt Conference Championship (1995) and produce five all-conference players on a team which ranked fifth in the South Region (1995).

His three years of head coaching experience for elite club teams include the Birmingham Volleyball Club, the Alabama Junior's Volleyball Club (Regional Champions) and the CSRA/Aiden Junior's Volleyball Club.

"We're real excited to have Mitch come to Western Carolina," said Benson. "His knowledge of the game and recruiting expertise are valuable assets to the team. He is a great motivator for the girls and works well with them. He compliments this program very well."

Landrum earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Montevallo in Birmingham, Ala., in 2001. He was an academic scholarship recipient, on the Dean's List and the 2000 Special Olympics statewide volleyball tournament coordinator.

Landrum also worked with numerous camps and clinics sponsored by the University of Montevallo, the University of Alabama, Florida Community College, the Birmingham Volleyball Club and the University of South Carolina at Aiken.