Feb. 14, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - In a Monday morning press conference, Winston-Salem State University Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell announced that Head Men's Basketball Coach Philip Stitt has been given a three-year contract extension that will take him through the 2007-08 basketball season.

Stitt is currently in his seventh season with the Ram basketball program since coming to WSSU prior to the 1998-99 season to serve as an assistant coach to then-Head Coach Rick Duckett. During his tenure as an assistant coach with the Rams, Stitt was a part of two CIAA Championship teams, and three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II national playoffs.

Stitt was named Interim Head Coach prior to the 2001-02 season when Duckett left WSSU to become an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. As Interim Head Coach, Stitt led the Rams to a 22-7 overall record and their fourth straight berth in the NCAA Division II national playoffs and was summarily rewarded with a three-year contract by WSSU Director of Athletics Dr. Chico Caldwell.

Stitt led the Rams to a 15-14 record during the 2002-03 season, his first year as WSSU's head coach since having the interim tag removed. He then guided the Rams to a 16-12 record in 2003-04 in his second season as WSSU's Head Coach, and has had even greater success this season as he has led WSSU to an 18-5 record thus far.

In three and half seasons at the head of the WSSU men's basketball program, Stitt has an overall record of 71-38 for a winning percentage of 65.1% and has coached three players that were named All-CIAA performers.

Stitt, a native of Jacksonville, FL is a 1991 graduate of Brewton-Parker College where he earned a B.A. in health, physical education and recreation and was a member of the men's basketball team . Coach Stitt's collegiate coaching career began in 1991 as assistant at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. After spending three seasons with the Stars, he moved on to Division I Jacksonville University where he assisted with practice and game coaching, recruiting, and the organization of basketball camps. In 1997 Stitt joined the coaching staff at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In his only season at Fayetteville State University, the Broncos finished 17-10, tied for second place in the CIAA Western Division.

Commenting on the contract extension, WSSU Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell had the following comment:

"At the end of last season, as we do at the end of every season, Coach Stitt and I sat down and had an end-of-year performance review. At the end of last season, I reviewed with Coach Stitt the areas that needed to be improved, and since that time, he has done an excellent job and has aggressively addressed all of those areas that needed improvements. Throughout Coach Stitt's time here with WSSU, there has never been an issue with the student status of his players. He demands academic success, and demands that his players attend class and fulfill all the responsibilities of being both a student and an athlete. His teams have done well in the classroom and on the court."

"When we looked at the complete picture, and as we look to the future of our basketball program, we knew that in the best interest of our program we needed to retain Coach Stitt, and he has accepted a three-year extension to his contract." WSSU Director Of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell

"He uses basketball to teach his players for life. He makes basketball situations and scenarios relate to life and teaches his players for success in the ultimate game of life. He has done an outstanding job recruiting and in game preparation, as well as in skills development. Last year's team gelled early and faded near the end of the season, while this year's team started strong and has only gotten stronger as of late, building on the success of the early season. Coach Stitt's game strategy is outstanding, and his ability to adjust to different game scenarios and situations is excellent. When we looked at the complete picture, and as we look to the future of our basketball program, we knew that in the best interest of our program we needed to retain Coach Stitt, and he has accepted a three-year extension to his contract. We at WSSU are looking forward to the continued success of our program under Coach Stitt."

Stitt's contract extension will take effect starting April 1st, 2005 and will continue through the completion of the 2007-08 season.

For additional information, or to arrange interviews with Head Coach Philip Stitt, or WSSU Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143.