Friday, July 6, 2007

PC Men’s Basketball Promotes Fisher And Smith

CLINTON, S.C. – Presbyterian College head men’s basketball coach Gregg Nibert and PC Director of Athletics Dr. William B. “Bee” Carlton announced the promotion of Ronny Fisher to Associate Head Coach and Justin Smith to full-time Assistant Coach.

“Our staff is really excited about the great job that Dr. Carlton and the administration has done to help to prepare the program for future success in NCAA Division I with the addition of a second full-time assistant and the ability for us to promote Coach Fisher,” said Nibert.

Fisher is in his second decade involved with the Blue Hose men’s basketball program as he has been with the PC men’s basketball program for 11 years now overall. The 2007-08 season will mark Fisher’s eighth consecutive year with the program.

“Coach Fisher’s promotion is a very deserved promotion in terms of all the energy and effort that he puts into the program,” noted Nibert. “He has performed like a head coach during his time here and he is a very large part of the success that we have had on the court and in recruiting. His role will be vital to our future success as we continue with our transition into NCAA Division I.”

Smith is entering his fourth season with the Blue Hose men’s basketball program in the 2007-08 season.

“Coach Smith really has been a volunteer assistant during his first three years with the program,” said Nibert. “He has paid his dues and really done an unbelievable job for us. He brings lots of energy and enthusiasm and has been instrumental in our success over the past three seasons.”

Fisher has been a part of 194 wins during his time at PC, including 137 since his return seven years ago. PC has a winning percentage of .636 during the 10 years, garnering a record of 194-111 with Fisher on staff.

The Blue Hose have been to the NCAA Division II Tournament two times (2003 and 2006) with Fisher on staff. Fisher was on the men’s basketball staff in the 1992-93 season when the Blue Hose claimed the South Atlantic Conference championship and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.

The academic and recruiting coordinator for the Blue Hose men’s basketball program, Fisher returned to the Blue Hose in the 2000-01 season after spending two seasons as assistant basketball coach at North Greenville University in Tigerville, S.C.

Fisher spent his first three years out of college with the Blue Hose. He held an assistant coaching position at PC for three years before moving on to Conway, S.C. where he was named head basketball coach at Conway High School.

Fisher compiled a record of 47-52 with the Tigers from 1993-97, including leading his 1993-94 team to the quarterfinals of the South Carolina state playoffs.

A native of Asheville, N.C., Fisher earned his bachelor of arts degree from Furman in physical education in 1990. Fisher served as a student assistant coach under former Paladin and Presbyterian head coach Butch Estes while earning his undergraduate degree at Furman.

Smith has been a part of 63 PC wins during his three years involved with the program.

The Blue Hose have had a winning percentage of .677 during the time period with an overall record of 63-30 in the three-year span.

The Blue Hose also advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2006 with Smith on staff.

Smith’s duties will include assisting Nibert and Fisher in all aspects of the program including practice, recruiting, scouting and other day-to-day operations.

Smith came to the Blue Hose after spending three years as an assistant varsity and junior varsity head coach at White Knoll High School in Columbia, S.C. During his tenure at White Knoll, he served under former Blue Hose All-American Bret Jones.

A 1998 graduate of Lexington High School, Smith played for former Blue Hose men’s basketball player Bailey Harris during his prep career. Smith played basketball for two years at the University of South Carolina-Aiken before transferring to the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Smith earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Carolina in social studies in 2002.

Presbyterian is coming off a 2006-07 season in which they posted a 20-9 record to finish with two consecutive 20-win seasons after posting a 25-9 mark in the 2005-06 campaign. The 2007-08 season will be the first for the Blue Hose at the NCAA Division I level. 

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