Vanco, a native of Garfield Heights, Ohio, spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the women’s basketball program at nearby Furman University in Greenville, S.C. This past season, she helped lead the Lady Paladins to an 18-11 overall record and a 14-6 mark in the Southern Conference regular season, good for a second place finish. In addition, the team advanced to their fifth straight semifinal appearance in the Southern Conference Tournament before falling to Western Carolina University. 

“I am very excited that Coach Vanco has decided to join the PC family,” said Carlton. “She is a well-qualified coach who has outstanding basketball background that is coupled with strong character and a sense of purpose for the program. She will lead our team extremely well and possesses unlimited potential for success as our head coach. Her experiences at Furman and West Point allow her to know the qualities needed for success by student-athletes in a highly competitive academic and athletic environment. Coach Vanco’s warm personality and maturity make her an ideal fit for the PC campus and Clinton community. I can’t wait for her to join us here.”

Prior to her tenure at Furman, Vanco served as an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. during the 2001-02 season. Among her duties with the Black Knights was recruiting coordinator as well as assisting with scouting, practice preparation, budget organization, and as an academic coordinator. Prior to her stint at West Point, she served as an assistant coach at Salem International University in Salem, WV during the 2000-2001 season.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to coach at Presbyterian College,” said Vanco. “It is a wonderful school with outstanding academics and a strong athletic tradition. My goal is to continue moving this program in a positive direction through hard work and dedication. I am looking forward to the challenge and being a part of the PC community.”

Vanco graduated from St. Bonaventure University in Saint Bonaventure, New York with a Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology in 1999. She earned her Masters in Education with specialization in Counseling and Sport Psychology in 2000 from Boston University in  Boston, MA. During her playing career, she was a four-year letterwinner at St. Bonaventure. She was the team’s most improved player as a junior and was a captain during her senior season. Vanco closed out her career ranked sixth among Atlantic 10 rebounders.

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