WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: UVa.-Wise Coach Steps Down

Page 3B, 3-12-09

UVa.-Wise women’s coach resigns

Citing family responsibilities, Rachel Clay-Keohane has resigned as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Clay-Keohane confirmed the resignation in a telephone interview on Tuesday. The Abingdon native compiled a 90-196 record during her 10 seasons as the coach of her alma mater.
She’ll now focus her energy on spending more time with her husband and two young children.

“I just got to that point to where I can’t cover everything and give it the time it needs,” Clay-Keohane said. “It’s kind of been something I’ve been thinking about for a while. The school has been very supportive … It’s just to the point that when you have a lot of different things going on, it adds up.”

An all-conference player at UVa.-Wise in the early-1990s, Clay-Keohane eventually became the head coach of her alma mater.

Her crowning moment as a coach came in 2006 when UVa.-Wise went 21-6, won the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament and qualified for the NAIA national tournament for the first, and only, time in school history.

Clay-Keohane also heavily recruited local players. This past season, eight players from Southwest Virginia suited up for the Cavs.

“It’s been great all the way around,” Clay-Keohane said. “The winnings seasons are exciting things, but just being able to do a job that you love and be involved with young people, it’s a blessing to have been given this opportunity.”

With a roster including just two seniors, UVa.-Wise struggled to a 6-24 record in 2008-09 and was eliminated in the opening round of the conference tournament.

“I’ve spent a 1/3 of my life in that program and I still very much believe in the school and the program,” Clay-Keohane said. “It’s a bright future ahead.”

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