Fresno State Athletics
McEntire, Champagne Added To Women's Basketball Staff
7/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 1, 2004
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State head women's basketball coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has announced the hirings of Calamity McEntire and Drew Champagne as assistant coaches.McEntire, who spent two seasons as head manager for the University of Tennessee women's basketball team, comes to Fresno State after working as an assistant office manager for Kesslers Team Sports last year. Champagne enters his second season with the Bulldogs after serving as the team's head manager in 2003-04.
"I'm thrilled to have my coaching staff on board," said Johnson-Klein. "Calamity McEntire and Drew Champagne share our program's philosophy and understand the time, hard work and commitment that are involved in building a national power. I am confident in their abilities to help us achieve our goal."
McEntire, who will fill the Bulldog's second assistant position, most recently served as the assistant manager for office and store operations for Kesslers Team Sports in Knoxville, Tenn.
McEntire, a native of Canadian, Okla., also worked as a manager for the University of Tennessee women's basketball program from 2001-03. During her two-year tenure with the Lady Vols, McEntire oversaw equipment operations, coordinated fundraising and marketing efforts and assisted the coaching staff in areas such as recruit planning, monitoring academic progress of student athletes and additional administrative duties.
In addition, McEntire served as equipment manager and gym director for Pat Summitt Summer Basketball Camps for two seasons. McEntire, who graduated from Tennessee with a degree in education/sport management in 2003, also played two seasons at Eastern Oklahoma State University (EOSU) where she led the Mountaineers to a Regional II Championship and No. 4 national ranking.
McEntire served as a student assistant coach for a half-season at EOSU and coached at the AAU level for one season in Canadian, Okla.
"Calamity McEntire comes to us from one of the best women's basketball programs in the nation," said Johnson-Klein. "Her experience at Tennessee and work ethic is a tremendous combination. I have no doubt she will be one of the best young assistant coaches in the country."
Champagne, a native of Norwich, Ct., spent last season with the Bulldogs as the team's head manager. His duties included film exchange, monitoring academic progress of student-athletes, assistance with scheduling and other administrative responsibilities. Champagne also helped direct Bulldog basketball camps and aided in team travel, recruiting and fundraising.
In addition to Johnson-Klein and current assistant coach Adrian Wiggins, Champagne becomes the third member of the Bulldog coaching staff to have either coached or played at Cameron University in Lawton, Okla.
Champagne, who earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Cameron in 2003, lettered one season in men's basketball at Cameron from 1999-2000. He then served as a student assistant with the program and followed that with a one-year tenure as a graduate assistant.
Prior to his time at Cameron, Champagne served four years in the U.S. Army including a one-year stint in Korea. Champagne and his wife Jessica, who is also from Lawton, Okla., were married in March.
"Drew Champagne has earned my respect as I have watched his growth and work ethic while at both programs (Cameron University and Fresno State)," Johnson-Klein said. "He is extremely disciplined and his loyalty will be a valuable asset to our program."
