Whitefield Academy has named Angela Crosby, Whitefield dean of students, as head coach of the varsity girls basketball team. Timothy Unsicker, Upper School history teacher who has served as head coach for the past five years, initiated and enthusiastically endorsed the change which will allow him to complete his master’s degree. Unsicker will continue to serve the program as the assistant coach and help lead the team to another great season.
Crosby brings 17 years of experience as a college basketball coach to the WolfPack program, including assistant coach positions at the University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Virginia Tech, and University of Memphis. During her time at these institutions, Crosby served as a coach, coordinated recruiting efforts, scouted opponents and assisted with the development of post players.
Crosby began her collegiate basketball career playing at Anderson Junior College, where she was named an All-American player. She next played as a forward guard for Appalachian State University
in Boone, N.C. a Division 1 university. Crosby earned her Bachelor of Science from Appalachian State, and secured her first assistant coaching job with the university upon graduation. As a player Crosby received multiple accolades including the 1994 Southern Conference Player of the Year award. Crosby scored 1,023 points and averaged 21.9 points per game during her college career. She was also named the Verizon Academic All American and SoCon Athlete of the Year.
Crosby took the time to answer a few questions about her love for basketball and coaching:
When did you start playing basketball?
My path to basketball was a true testament of God’s hand in my life! I was in a lunchroom line in ninth grade. At that time, I was the same height I am today, which is 6'1. The high school coach pulled me out of the line and asked me if I played basketball. I said “No, sir I have never played.” He told me to come to tryouts that afternoon to see what I could do. Needless to say, I'm still in love with the game!
What is one of the hardest lessons you’ve learned in life?
In the ninth grade, I had the hardest English teacher in the school! I slacked off and didn't work very hard in her class so I failed it and had to attend summer school. My mom and I went to the school to talk to the teacher about my final grade. She was very honest with me. She said "Angie, you have too much potential to not work hard in my class. Yes, you were a star on the basketball court but you were not a star in my class. If I had passed you, you would have thought that life is supposed to give you things. However, life doesn’t just give you things. You have to work for everything you get!” That teacher changed my life!
Describe your favorite moment of college basketball:
That’s hard to narrow down! But if I had to pick one, I would say it is this. During my senior year in college, my trainer told me I couldn't play because I had the flu. I told my coach if she believed in me to let me play and she did! I had my career high in points and we beat a very good ACC team that night! It was an amazing feeling!
What excites you about coaching the girls varsity basketball team at Whitefield?
I’m excited to coach at a school which excels in both academics and athletics. I have a strong desire to equip these young women, not only on the basketball court, but for life.
God allows me to use this sport that I love so much to impact young ladies on and off the court. There is so much discipline, dedication, commitment in this sport and I love to see the growth in my players as time goes by.
The varsity basketball team kicks off the 2015 - 2016 season on Tuesday, November 17 at Greater Atlanta Christian School at 6 p.m.