2016-17 WOMEN'S

PREVIEW PLAYERS COACHES REVIEW HISTORY SMU MEDIA 25 2016-17 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH , '90 1ST SEASON

Travis Mays was named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at SMU on April 7, 2016. Mays arrived on the Hilltop after 14 years as an assistant coach, where he served under three Hall of Fame coaches, and 11 years playing professionally.

Mays came to SMU following four seasons as Associate Head Coach at Texas, where he made his mark on the program as a dynamic guard from 1986-90, and where he served a previous three-year stint as an assistant coach for the women's basketball program from 2004-07. He returned to UT in 2012 as Associate Head Coach. His duties at Texas included recruiting, preparing opponent scouting reports, instructing guards on the court and public speaking at various community service and campus events.

Following his playing days, Mays began his coaching career with a two-year stint in the WNBA with the San Antonio Silver Stars (2002-04) and then returned to his alma mater as an assistant to Hall of Fame coach from 2004-07, where he proved himself as a gifted floor coach and recruiter. Mays moved on to LSU and worked on Hall of Fame coach 's staff from 2007-11. At both UT and LSU, Mays helped ink nationally-acclaimed recruits, and all seven of the recruiting classes Mays assisted in assembling were ranked among the nation's top 25, including five top-five efforts - No. 1 (2005), No. 3 (2008), No. 3 (2016), No. 4 (2014) and No. 5 (2015).

After his time in Baton Rouge, Mays was an assistant coach at the for Hall of Fame coach . The Lady Bulldogs finished the 2011-12 season at 22-9 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's first round.

A 2002 inductee into UT's Men's Athletics Hall of Fame, Mays is still No. 2 among the Longhorns' career scoring leaders with 2,279 points and was the first player to earn back-to-back Player of the Year honors in 1989 and 1990. As a senior, Mays was a second-team Associated Press All-American. He averaged 24.1 points per game and led Texas to the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Tournament. Included in that NCAA run was a 44-point outburst against Georgia in the first round that still ranks 14th-most all time in "March Madness" history. His 23 free throws made and 27 attempts at the line versus the Bulldogs remain NCAA Tournament records. In 2016, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Mays was drafted by Sacramento with the No. 14 overall pick in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft, and he was a second-team All-Rookie selection after averaging 14.3 points per game. Mays then played two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, before rupturing two tendons in his right foot. He recovered and enjoyed a successful eight-season career overseas in Greece, Israel, Turkey and Italy.

A native of Ocala, Fla., he received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas in 1990. Mays and his wife, Mirella, have two children -- a daughter, Cherrell, and son, Trevor.

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MAYS YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD Year Organization/School Position Record Conference Finish Postseason 2003 San Antonio Silver Stars Assistant Coach/Head Scout 12-22 2004 San Antonio Silver Stars Assistant Coach/Head Scout 9-25 2004-05 Texas Assistant Coach 22-9 2nd NCAA Second Round 2005-06 Texas Assistant Coach 13-15 T-8th 2006-07 Texas Assistant Coach 18-14 7th 2007-08 LSU Assistant Coach 31-6 1st NCAA Final Four 2008-09 LSU Assistant Coach 19-11 T-2nd NCAA Second Round 2009-10 LSU Assistant Coach 21-10 T-3rd NCAA Second Round 2010-11 LSU Assistant Coach 19-13 T-5th 2011-12 Georgia Assistant Coach 22-9 3rd NCAA First Round 2012-13 Texas Associate Head Coach 12-18 T-8th 2013-14 Texas Associate Head Coach 22-12 3rd NCAA Second Round 2014-15 Texas Associate Head Coach 24-11 T-3rd NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2015-16 Texas Associate Head Coach 31-5 2nd NCAA Elite Eight

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT TRAVIS MAYS , HALL OF FAME COACH "Travis has done a great job helping to elevate programs everywhere he has been, and there is no doubt he will do the same thing at SMU."

VAN CHANCELLOR, HALL OF FAME COACH "I think as a former player at Texas, Travis has name recognition and the ability to recruit that will make him a tremendous hire at SMU. Sometimes during a hire, the Athletic Director is trying to hit a home run, and I think SMU has hit a grand slam. Travis will do a great job and be very successful at SMU."

JODY CONRADT, HALL OF FAME COACH "Travis was outstanding as a player, very good and passionate about the game. I knew him as a player, and seeing him on the staff of a WNBA team gave me the comfort to hire him at Texas. It told me he had an appreciation for women's basketball and a future in the field. He was a great hire at Texas, eager to learn, and he turned the passion he had as a player into a passion for teaching the game. He was a wonderful assistant with the ability to establish relationships and connects with players very well. He has a great opportunity at a prominent institution in an excellent location, and I'm excited to watch what he does at SMU. I know he will be successful."

VIVIAN STRINGER, HALL OF FAME COACH "I've admired Travis over the years and found him to be a consummate professional. Though he didn't know that I was watching, I admired his work ethic, the way he related to his colleagues, and his presentation. In talking with him, I found him to be bright and perceptive and have no doubt that Travis will be successful at the highest level of basketball, not just women's basketball. I understand why the top players in the nation want to play for Travis."

PREVIEW PLAYERS COACHES REVIEW HISTORY SMU MEDIA 27 2016-17 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MIKE BRANDT ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH STERLING COLLEGE, '86 1ST SEASON

Mike Brandt has more than 25 years of coaching experience and spent the last 14 seasons as head coach at USC Aiken. Brandt posted a 254-166 record and lead the Pacers to the NCAA tournament five times, including three straight appearances from 2011-2013. Brandt guided the Pacers to a program-record 27 wins in 2010-11 and again in 2011-12, winning the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship in 2012. USC Aiken was ranked as high as No. 3 in the NCAA Division II during his tenure.

Prior to taking over at USC Aiken, Brandt spent 13 seasons at the helm of the program at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. He was named NJCAA District G Coach of the Year in 2002 after leading his team to the Region IX championship. Brandt guided his team to at least 20 wins eight times, including six consecutive seasons, and broke the program single-season wins mark five times. He is the all-time wins leader at Northeastern, finishing with a 253-129 mark. During his time at Northeastern, he coached five NJCAA All-Americans, 52 academic award winners and one player who went on to play professionally.

Brandt began his coaching career in the high school ranks at Winfield High School in Winfield, Kan., in 1986. After two seasons at Winfield, he spent a season at Buchanan M.S./Wray High School in Wray, Colo., before advancing to the college ranks. Brandt played at Northeastern Junior College, earning an Associate of Arts in liberal arts in 1984, and earned a Bachelor’s in physical education with a minor in computer science from Sterling College in 1986. In 1988, Brandt completed his studies for a Master’s of Education at Southwestern College.

HEAD COACH TRAVIS MAYS ON MIKE BRANDT: “Mike [Brandt] is, first and foremost, an incredible man of high character, integrity and loyalty. He is extremely passionate about the game of basketball, which has been proven by his success as a head coach,” Mays explained. “He has many strengths, one being his ability to evaluate players and strategically put them in position to be successful according to their strengths, but what attracted me the most about wanting him to be a part of my staff is the way he cares for the development of his players on and off the court.”

28 PREVIEW PLAYERS COACHES REVIEW HISTORY SMU MEDIA 2016-17 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL EDWINA BROWN ASSISTANT COACH TEXAS, '00 1ST SEASON

Edwina Brown joined the SMU coaching staff in April 2016, making the move across the metroplex after two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at TCU. Brown brings five years of coaching experience and more than a decade of professional playing experience to the Hilltop.

Brown, who graduated from the University of Texas in 2000, began her coaching career at her alma mater in April 2011. She severed as a strength and conditioning coach before serving as an assistant coach for the 2011-12 season, helping guide the Lady Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament. She also began to build her reputation as a top recruiter, helping sign a top-15 recruiting class, according to ESPN. The class included Empress Davenport, the No. 29 guard and 71st-ranked prospect overall nationally by ESPN.com, and Imani Boyette, a McDonald’s All-American who was the No. 11 prospect out of high school according to ESPN.com and was drafted No. 10 overall by the Chicago Sky.

After Texas, Brown spent two seasons at the University of New Mexico before accepting her position at TCU. During her time in Fort Worth, Brown helped guide the Horned Frogs to a pair of WNIT appearances, and helped sign a top-10 recruiting class. The class included Amber Ramirez, a McDonald’s All-American who was ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect by ESPN, and Kianna Ray, rated as the No. 21 guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com.

During her time as a player at Texas, Brown was awarded the Margaret as National Player of the Year, and was also named ESPN.com’s National Player of the Year after her senior season in 2000. She was a Kodak All-American in 2000, and was picked third overall by the in the WNBA draft. Brown also represented the United States, winning a bronze medal in the 1999 Pan Am Games, and a gold medal in the 1998 R. William Jones Cup. Her professional career included five seasons in the WNBA, playing for the Shock, the and the , as well as 11 seasons playing internationally in Israel, Spain, France, Austria and Lebanon. In 2009, Brown was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor.

Brown earned a degree from Texas in applied learning and development with a focus in youth and community studies, and also has three executive certificates in leadership and management from the University of Notre Dame in leading teams and organizations, effective leadership and executive leadership strategies.

HEAD COACH TRAVIS MAYS ON EDWINA BROWN: “Edwina [Brown] is the ultimate competitor. She was that way as a player and shows the same characteristics as a coach and recruiter. She has a passion about teaching the game the way she approached the game as a player, with high intensity and a belief that she can make every player great. Edwina will be vital in being able to bring the best talent in the country to SMU because many young prospects want to be coached by great players that can prepare them for the highest level.”

PREVIEW PLAYERS COACHES REVIEW HISTORY SMU MEDIA 29 2016-17 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AMIE SMITH BRADLEY ASSISTANT COACH TEXAS, '97 1ST SEASON

Amie Smith Bradley worked with Travis Mays as a member of current Texas head As a player at Texas, she finished with more than 1,000 points scored, led the team coach ’s staff at the University of Texas before starting her most recent in rebounding all four years and was a team captain as a senior in 1996-97. Smith role as the Assistant Athletics Director for Donor and Alumni Relations and the Bradley graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1997, and was on the Longhorn Foundation in 2013. Athletics Director’s Honor Roll every semester.

Prior to returning to her alma mater, Smith Bradley recorded three 20-win seasons HEAD COACH TRAVIS MAYS ON AMIE SMITH BRADLEY: during seven years as the head coach at Division III Trinity University in San Antonio. “Amie [Smith Bradley] brings an ability to build relationships and create an atmosphere She earned more than 100 wins, and guided her team to the NCAA Tournament of trust and integrity. She is a great teacher of the game and prepares her players for twice. She posted a 117-70 record (.626) which still stands as the second-best life beyond basketball. She understands the importance of community involvement mark in school history. She posted a 117-70 record (.626) which still stands as the and player development. She also brings head coaching experience, great knowledge second-best mark in school history. of the game and an attention to detail that creates success on and off the court.”

Smith Bradley spent three seasons as a special assistant for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. Her duties with the professional team included scouting opponents, mentoring new assistant coaches who were transferring from their playing careers. Her coaching career also included a six-year stint as an assistant coach at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, the school from which she graduated in 1993.

30 PREVIEW PLAYERS COACHES REVIEW HISTORY SMU MEDIA 2016-17 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SHAWNA LAVENDER DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS SMU, '97 5TH SEASON

Shawna Lavender was named the Director of Basketball Operations for the Mustangs As a point guard at SMU from 1993-97, Lavender led the Mustangs to a 76-41 in May 2012. Lavender, formerly Shawna Ford, played for Rompola at SMU from overall record, and scored a career-high 42 points, second most in school history, 1993-97, and spent nine seasons as head coach at Abilene Christian University in a historic four-overtime victory over TCU during the 1996-97 season. As a senior, before returning to the Hilltop. she led the Mustangs with 130 assists and 46 3-point field goals made. She scored 313 points, averaging 10.4 per game during her final season. She was also a team Lavender posted a 149-111 record overall at ACU, and led the Wildcats to seven captain for two seasons. Lone Star Conference tournament appearances and two NCAA Tournament berths. During her tenure at ACU, Lavender coached 17 All-Lone Star Conference selections, Lavender's duties as Director of Basketball Operations will include overseeing eight All-Region honorees and three All-Americans. She led the Wildcats to a 20-10 team travel, equipment, assisting with the budget and other day-to-day operations record during the 2004-05 season, the program's first 20-win season since 1999. of the program.

After graduating from SMU, Lavender attended graduate school at Abilene Christian, She is married to Mark Lavender and has one son, Austin. working as a graduate assistant for the women's basketball team. She then spent the next four seasons as an assistant before taking over as head coach prior to the 2003-04 season. ADAM SORENSON DIRECTOR OF VIDEO ARKANSAS, '11 4TH SEASON

Adam Sorenson has been the Director of Basketball Video since 2013, joining the As an undergraduate student at Arkansas, Sorenson was a video assistant for the SMU women’s basketball program after two years as a Graduate Assistant Video football team for two seasons before becoming a graduate assistant. He earned a Coordinator at the University of Arkansas. Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation and sports management in 2011 and a Master’s degree in education and sport management in 2013, both at the University Sorenson’s duties at SMU include personnel reports of opponents, producing video of Arkansas. for scouting reports, film exchange and video playbooks. He also produces highlight takes, and manages the male practice squad. DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LSU, '09 1ST SEASON

Erica White joined the SMU women’s basketball staff in 2016, and serves as the After her career at LSU, White played one season in the WNBA with the Houston Director of Player Development. White, who played for Travis Mays at LSU during Comets before spending three seasons playing professionally in the Israeli Women’s her senior season, was a member of four straight Final Four teams with the Tigers. Basketball League. After her playing career concluded, White spent two seasons as She led LSU to a 121-19 record during her four seasons, and was a finalist for the an assistant coach at the University of North Florida. She then entered the high school 2008 Award. She was also a two-time SEC Academic Honor ranks as the head coach at Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Fla., serving Roll selection. as the head coach of the junior varsity squad, and assisted with the varsity team.

White graduated from LSU in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in sociology, sports studies and communications. She also completed one year of post-graduate studies in pedagogy at LSU.

PREVIEW PLAYERS COACHES REVIEW HISTORY SMU MEDIA 31 2016-17 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL KELLI SWING ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC TRAINER IOWA, '02 13TH SEASON

Kelli Swing is in her 13th year as member of the SMU Sports Medicine staff. As one Prior to coming to SMU, Swing earned her Masters of Education in 2004 at Wichita of three Associate Athletic Trainers on staff, Swing is responsible for the healthcare State University while serving as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Women's of the Women's Basketball team. She serves as the secretary for the Alliance for Volleyball team. In 2002, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Intercollegiate Sports Medicine. Swing also serves as a Clinical Preceptor in conjunc- Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa. tion with the UTA Accredited Sports Medicine Program. During her tenure at SMU, Swing has worked various additional sporting events, including Sports Medicine A native of Burlington, Iowa, she and her husband Patrick have a daughter, Halliday and Drug testing coordinator for the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball Champion- Ivee, and two dogs, Bella Blu and Jax. ships Regional Tournament, and Sports Medicine Coordinator for the two Nike Elite Academy camps and DFW AAU girls' basketball tournaments. YOLANDA BERRYHILL STRENTGH AND CONDITIONING COACH GEORGIA STATE, '11 1ST SEASON

Yolanda Berryhill enters her first season (2016-17) on the Hilltop as a strength and Berryhill also served as a graduate assistant at Georgia State, working with men’s conditioning coach. and women’s track and field.

Prior to SMU, Berryhill served as the director of Olympic sports at Appalachian State In 2011, Berryhill completed an internship with the Georgia Tech strength and University, working primarily with women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, and men’s conditioning staff (March 2011-Aug. 2011). and women’s track and field. Starting in June 2012, Berryhill served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Georgia State University for women’s basketball, She also served as the strength and conditioning coach and basketball instructor women’s track and field and women’s tennis. During her time at Georgia State, she for The Skills Academy in Marietta, Georgia, working with athletes ranging from trained the women’s tennis team to a Sun Belt Conference Championship (Spring intermediate to the professional level. 2014), the No. 8 singles player in the country, the No. 15 ranked doubles players, two NCAA East Regional Qualifiers in track and field (Spring 2014) and a Sun Belt Berryhill was a four-year letter winning track and field thrower at Georgia State all-conference third team pick in women’s basketball (Spring 2014). University, where she earned her bachelor’s in exercise science in May 2011. She then earned her master’s in exercise science from GSU in December 2012. AKIL SIMPSON GRADUATE ASSISTANT SMU, '14 1ST SEASON

Akil Simpson returned to the Hilltop in 2016 to serve as the women’s basketball After her career at SMU, Simpson spent two seasons playing oversees, most recently graduate assistant. A 2014 graduate of SMU, Simpson finished her career ranked 13th for Kotka Peli-Karhut in Finland, finishing second on the team with 15.9 points per in program history with 1,234 points scored and 874 rebounds, sixth all-time at SMU. game and a team-high 11.0 rebounds per game.

She had 10 double-doubles during her senior season, helping lead the Mustangs to a second straight postseason appearance, advancing to the second round of the WNIT. Simpson helped direct SMU to its third conference regular-season champion- ship, going 12-4 in Conference USA and 21-10 overall.

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