LORETTO, Pa. (June 8, 2007) – Saint Francis University head women’s basketball coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl today announced the addition of Kristeena Alexander, Jen Gwin and Ashli Schwab to her coaching staff.

“We are thrilled to have hired three outstanding coaches who all have great passion for women’s basketball and are tremendous teachers of the game,” said Robinson Fruchtl. “All three bring there own different experiences and knowledge that will be beneficial to our student-athletes, and I believe we have assembled a staff that will fit in nicely with our philosophies on and off the court.”

Alexander joins the Red Flash coaching staff after serving the past three seasons as an assistant coach under Altoona native Debbie Taneyhill at George Mason University. Alexander assisted with all aspects of the Patriots’ program, including recruiting and scouting. She also played point guard at George Mason, where she was the 1996-97 Atlantic 10 Rookie-of-the-Year, before transferring to George Washington, where she was a two-time Atlantic 10 all-conference selection. After her collegiate career, Alexander was invited to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics training camp, and she played professionally for BF Copenhagen in the FIBA Euro Cup. Prior to her coaching stint with the Patriots, she served as a personal trainer at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington, Va. Alexander received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from George Washington in 2000.

“Kristeena brings key experience to our recruiting and guard development,” Robinson Fruchtl said. “She has a wonderful personality that is contagious. As a former point guard, Kristeena’s knowledge of the game will be invaluable.”

“I am excited about joining the Saint Francis women’s basketball program,” Alexander said. “I look forward to adding to the rich tradition of success here at Saint Francis University.”

Gwin is a 2006 graduate of Gannon University, located in Erie, where she played four seasons before serving the 2005-06 season as a student assistant coach. Her coaching duties consisted of practice planning, with an emphasis on guard play and development, as well as recruiting and scouting. Gwin also spent the 2003 season as an assistant coach with the Under-13 Erie Saints, and spent seven years as a coach and instructor at various high school and college camps and clinics. As a player at Gannon, Gwin was a three-time GLIAC all-league selection, including a pair of first team honors. She was also a two-time GLIAC All-Defensive Team honoree and is Gannon’s all-time assist leader, as well as a member of its 1,000-point club. Gwin was a double-major at Gannon where she received her Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Marketing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Human Resources.

“Jen is someone who will make a big contribution on our staff with our guard development, and in recruiting,” Robinson Fruchtl said. “She is passionate about what she does and she brings a lot of energy to our program. Her energy and enthusiasm will have a positive impact on our players and the community.”

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to coach at a program with as rich of a tradition in women’s basketball as Saint Francis University,” Gwin said. “I look forward to the challenge of helping to rebuild Red Flash women’s basketball into a consistent winner.”

Schwab is reunited with Robinson Fruchtl as an assistant coach after playing under her at Penn State during the 2004-05 season. Most recently, Schwab served as the head girl’s basketball coach at Penn Manor High School, where she was also a 9^th and 10^th grade Health and Physical Education teacher, during the 2006-07 school year. Prior to being named the head coach at Penn Manor, she was the head coach of the 8^th grade girl’s team for one season at Centerville Middle School in the Hempfield School District. Schwab has also assisted with Penn State Lady Lion summer basketball camps, as well as at Eastern Lebanon County High School. Schwab was a member of the 2003 and 2004 Big Ten Conference championship teams, and helped the Lady Lions reach the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004, as well as the Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003. She was an Academic all-Big Ten selection during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons at Penn State, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Teacher Preparation.

“Ashli brings a wealth of knowledge in working with our post players,” Robinson Fruchtl said. “Having played the post position at the highest level, she understands what it takes to be successful and will be a great mentor for our players. Ashli’s teaching ability will have a major impact on our program.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Red Flash family,” Schwab said. “I am looking forward to working with Susan and the rest of the coaching staff, as well as the players and the community, to help build something special at Saint Francis University.”