May 6, 2004

Hampton, VA - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced on Thursday that Winston-Salem State University Head Softball Coach LaTaya Hilliard-Gray had been selected as the conference's 2004 Softball Coach of the Year.

Hilliard-Gray, who has just completed her second season as head coach of the Lady Rams' program guided WSSU to a 22-11 record this past season, bringing her two-year record to 42-20 overall. She helped to lead the Lady Rams on a 14-game win streak, part of a streak in which WSSU won 17 of 18 games and posted a flawless 12-0 CIAA league record en route to a perfect Western Division finish (8-0).

Under the guidance of Hilliard-Gray, the Lady Rams won back to back Western Division regular season titles in 2002 and 2003 and at the current time are ranked 10th in the Mid-Atlantic Region as selected by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association.

Speaking on the honor of receiving the 2004 CIAA Softball Coach of the Year Award, Hilliard-Gray had the following comment:

"Shocked, is what I am...But being named CIAA Softball Coach of the Year is a great accomplishment since this is only my second year as Head Softball Coach at Winston-Salem State University. The credit truly goes to the ladies on our team for continuing to work hard and continuing to want to win. It makes me feel good to know that my colleagues chose me among all the other great coaches in the conference...This is truly an honor."

For additional information, or to request an interview with Coach Hilliard-Gray, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143.