HAMILTON, N.Y. – Beth Spycher, who served as an assistant basketball coach in the Red Raider women’s basketball program for the past three seasons, has been named head coach of the Colgate University women’s basketball program.

            Spycher, 31, replaces Ron Rohn, who has stepped down after six seasons as the Red Raiders head coach.  Rohn is moving with his family back to Eastern Pennsylvania, where he is exploring other opportunities.

            “I am very excited about Beth taking over the women’s basketball program,” said Colgate athletic director Mark Murphy.  “She will do an excellent job because she is highly respected by the players and has a great knowledge of the game.  Turning around the fortunes of our women’s basketball program will be challenging, but I am confident that Beth is up to the task.”

            "I am honored and excited to be the head coach,” Spycher said.  “I have found a home at Colgate and am looking forward to working with the administration, alumni, and community in order to make the University and the town of Hamilton proud of our women's basketball program.  I have the highest regard for our returning players and our incoming recruits and am confident that all of us will do what it takes to bring success to our women's basketball program."

            With the Red Raiders, Spycher coordinated the majority of the program’s recruiting effort over the past three seasons which included the recruitment of all-Patriot League performers Frances Boone and Colleen McCaffrey, and all-league rookie team selection Sarah Parks.

            Spycher came to Colgate from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, where she served as an assistant coach for three seasons.  During her tenure with the Panthers, she worked primarily with the perimeter players, while spearheading the team’s weight and conditioning programs.

            Prior to her stint at Eastern Illinois, Spycher coached junior varsity basketball at St.-Joseph-Odgen High School in Saint Joesph, Illinois and headed the varsity volleyball program at Champaign (Ill.) Centennial High School.

            A 1991 graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in psychology, Spycher played Big Ten basketball for the Fighting Illini.  She earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Eastern Illinois in 1997.