The VCU women’s basketball team is getting a refresh in their coaching staff for the 2014 -2015 season. The Rams announced the addition of head coach Beth O’Boyle at a press conference on April 29, 2014 and ushers in “A New Era” in the women’s hoops program.
During the VCU press conference Coach O’Boyle spoke about recruiting athletes and things that they are looking for in a coach or a leader. “There are things that definitely stand out and that’s passion, doing things with integrity, and having a great vision and after my first conversation with Ed McLaughlin I knew that I wanted to play on his team.” In regards to her new role with the Rams she stated “My expectations will be high, but my goals will be simple.”
Coach O’Boyle outlined a concise plan with 3 components – academics, athletics, and community involvement. Academic excellence is a cornerstone of both the VCU and Atlantic 10 goals for student-athletes. O’Boyle began “Our first thing for each one of them will be to excel in the classroom, to be the best student-athletes they can be.” Then reinforcing the athletic program strategy and goal for success “On the court we will compete. We will practice hard. We will get after it in the Atlantic 10.” Finishing with “I really, truly believe that our players and our team that they will be ambassadors of VCU to the city of Richmond and be highly involved in the community.”
The new coach brings 15 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience, including a 3 season tenure as head coach with Stony Brook University where she led a dramatic program turn around. The Seawolves improved by 10 wins each over the past 2 seasons. Going from just 4 wins to 14 and then 24 and a bid in the WNIT in the 2013-14 season (only the second post-season appearance in school history). O’Boyle is inheriting a VCU women’s team that had a similar success story in the 2013-2014 season. The Rams had an 11 win improvement over their prior season, finishing with a 22-10 record, an appearance in the WNIT, and new school records for points per game and 3-point field goals.
