Katie Rokus has been named assistant women's basketball coach at UMBC. Rokus, who earned a communications degree from the University of South Carolina Aiken this past May, will be heavily involved in all areas of the Retrievers' program. The St. Johns College High School (Washington D.C.) product was a guard for the Lady Pacers from 1999 through 2003 and was originally recruited by Stern, who coached at Aiken from 1998 through 2002.

"Katie will be a tremendous addition to our program," said Head Coach Phil Stern. "She is extremely bright, and obviously knows our system very well, which will help greatly since we will have so many new players this season. She will also be involved in recruiting and the daily operation of our office."

Rokus enjoyed a tremendous combination of academic and athletic success at Division II Aiken, and as a result, was named the school's outstanding senior student at convocation. Rokus, who completed her academic career with a 3.88 grade point average, also wrote for the Pacer Times newspaper and created a running, behind-the-scenes commentary through the basketball team's Web page.

A captain this past season, Aiken went a combined 78-38 during her four-year tenure. In 2001-2002, the Lady Pacers made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and captured the school's first Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship.

Rokus was also the salutatorian of her senior class at St. Johns College High School, where she played basketball and soccer. Her team compiled a record of 107-21, including a #16 national ranking her senior season.

"I am thrilled to be reunited with coach Stern and Assistant Coach Beth Wandyes," Rokus said. "I look forward to being a part of all of the great things that we are going to accomplish over the next few years."