FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 13, 2007

Contact: Brian Thiessen
Sports Information Director
309-341-7714
bthiesse@knox.edu

Ashley Sims Named Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Knox College

Ashley Sims was named the assistant women's basketball coach at Knox College today.

Sims was a standout performer at Alexis High School, helping the team to two regional titles and three conference crowns. She was named to the all-Lincoln Trail Conference team after her junior and senior seasons. Sims earned Quad City all-area recognition as a senior.

"I am very excited to be a part of an athletic program at a great liberal arts institution," said Sims. "I feel that my values and coaching philosophy integrate well with the coaching staff and that I will make positive contributions to the women's basketball program."

Sims played basketball and softball at Lincoln College before earning her bachelor's degree in sport management from Monmouth College in 2005. She went on to receive a master's degree in sport management from Western Illinois University in 2007.

The Alexis, Illinois, native was the head seventh-grade girls basketball coach at United High School from 2004-06 and was the assistant varsity and junior varsity girls basketball coach at United from 2005-06. She was also an assistant varsity girls track coach at United. Sims also interned as the assistant director of marketing for women's basketball at Bradley University last season.

"I am excited to have Ashley as part of the basketball staff," said Knox head coach Wendy Rogers. "Ashley brings prior Midwest Conference experience, and a tremendous passion for basketball and for the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level."

The Prairie Fire women's basketball team will open the 2007-08 season at home against Greenville College on Nov. 20. Knox will host the annual Pizza Hut Classic Nov. 24-25.

--www.knox.edu/sports--