Charlotte Names Katie Meier Head Women's Basketball Coach

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte 49ers Director of Athletics Judy Rose today announced the hiring of former Tulane associate head coach Katie Meier as the school's next head women's basketball coach. Meier takes over the 49ers program after helping the Green Wave to seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances and four Conference USA titles in the last five years.

"It's the one thing I've been waiting for throughout my whole career. To go somewhere to make a dynamic impact," Meier said. "Charlotte is the perfect spot. The administrators conveyed to me their desire to get this program among the nation's elite and that's a dream of mine and I plan to do it."

Meier has been in coaching for 10 years, including the last seven at Tulane, during which the Green Wave has amassed a record of 161-53, with six consecutive 20-win seasons. The past two seasons, she has served as associate head coach to Lisa Stockton for the Green Wave, overseeing the post players and heading recruiting and scouting efforts. In addition to working at Tulane, she been an assistant coach at UNC Asheville and head coach for BBC Mini-Flat Waregem in Belgium.

"We're excited to be able to attract someone with Katie's experience," Rose said. "The fact that she has played at a high level, as a freshman All-America and participant with USA Basketball in the Jones Cup, that she has coached and played internationally and coached a very successful program at Tulane is outstanding. She's extremely knowledgeable about our program and she brings an incredible drive to make ours a successful program and take it to national prominence."

A 1989 cum laude graduate of Duke, Meier earned a bachelor's degree in English literature and language before earning a Master of Arts in Teaching English in 1990. She was a standout basketball player for the Blue Devils and was chosen ACC Rookie of the Year in 1986. In 1990, Meier was named first-team All-ACC and was twice named ACC Player of the Week. She was the Duke MVP her senior season and was a two-year team captain (1989-90). In addition to her basketball prowess, Meier excelled in the classroom as well. She was named to the Dean's List from 1986-88 and in 1989 with Distinction. In 1988, she was named to the GTE Academic All-America second team and was awarded the Duke University Senior Leadership Award in 1989.

"I have a great feeling about the university itself," Meier noted. "It's growing and making noise on the national level. It was important for me to find a situation that matched my energy level. I got that feel from the athletic department and the university, with the curriculum and the expansion in both academic and athletic facilities. Things are really progressing and I'm extremely excited about that.

"The Chancellor's commitment to athletics really swayed me. He has a desire to use athletics as a window for the community to the school and I was drawn to that. I really want to be the representative that he's looking for. Judy is highly-regarded on the national level. She's spearheaded so many significant changes which have positively reflected on the university. Her commitment to improvement and growth is well-known and I look forward to working with someone with that passion. I want the community to embrace this program. I want the community to see the excitement that's happening on campus and within the basketball program. We're ready to make a splash with the community."

Meier was an integral part of Tulane's success the last seven seasons. Her low-post players, in particular, have earned numerous awards. This past season, Janell Burse earned All-America honors for the second year, earning fourth-team honors from Women's Basketball News. Last year, Burse was named a fourth-team All-American by the Women's Basketball Journal and honorable mention by the Associated Press. Likewise, Barbara Farris was an honorable mention All-American and was the third overall pick in the 1998 ABL draft by the New England Blizzard.

"As for basketball, (the administration's) plans fit my dreams and I'm excited at working to realize our dreams together," Meier said. "And I have a great role model two doors down from me (men's head coach Bobby Lutz). He's the man with the master plan and I want to accomplish what he's accomplished."

Prior to joining the Tulane staff, Meier served one season as an assistant at UNC Asheville. Her duties during the 1993-94 season included scouting, recruiting, on-the-floor coaching, player development and game and practice preparation. She also served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Hustle, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) during the summer of 1993.

Meier played professionally in Belgium with the BBC Mini-Flat/Demulle club team, leading the squad to three regular-season First Division titles and one Belgian cup championship from 1990-93.

She coached the BBC Mini-Flat/Waregem team from 1990-93, leading the team in Belgian National competition. Her teams participated in the Belgian Cup final and won three regular-season regional titles.

Meier becomes the fifth Charlotte head coach. She succeeds Ed Baldwin, who resigned in March after 13 seasons with the 49ers.

A press conference to introduce Meier is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the school's Barnhardt Student Activity Center.