Tuesday, August 5, 2008

It has been a summer of comings and goings for women's basketball coaches at area colleges. With Niki Reid Geckeler's hiring at Howard on Friday, the Bison became the fifth local school with a new head coach.

Reid Geckeler joins the head coaching ranks after spending the past 10 years as an assistant at Georgetown. She is no stranger to Howard Athletic Director Dwight Datcher, who knew Reid Geckeler from his time as associate director of athletics at Georgetown.

"Niki has a terrific professional reputation and a proven track record of winning at the collegiate level," Datcher said in a statement released by the school. "I'm excited to have her on board."

A four-year starting point guard and former captain of the Hoyas, Reid Geckeler spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Fordham before returning to her alma mater.

Reid Geckeler replaces Cathy Parson, whose contract was not renewed. Parson's record was 96-127 in eight seasons. Howard went 4-26 last season.

American, George Mason, George Washington and Navy also have new women's basketball coaches. Howard is the fourth Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school to make a coaching change for the upcoming season.

-- Kathy Orton