Feb. 18, 2005

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina University Director of Athletics Chip Smith today announced that former UNC Wilmington assistant coach Tammy DeCesare will become the women's soccer program's second head coach all-time.

DeCesare (pronounced duh-CHESS-uh-ray) will take over the reins from former head coach Debbie Hensley, who vacated the position in late January to pursue an assistant coaching job with former mentor, Brian Lee, at Louisiana State University. Hensley led the program from its inception in 1999, also assuming the role of Senior Woman Administrator in 2003.

"Tammy has the qualities that we look for in a coach - energy, desire, dedication, successful recruiting experience in the state and a winning attitude," said WCU Athletics Director, Chip Smith. "She has achieved success as both a student-athlete and as a coach and will bring that experience to Western Carolina. We look for Catamount Soccer to become a leader in the Southern Conference."

DeCesare comes to Cullowhee after six seasons as an assistant coach at UNC Wilmington. During her time alongside head coach Paul Cairney, she has helped the Seahawks compile a 59-50-5 overall record, which includes a 14-2-1 tally against Southern Conference foes, while only enduring one sub-.500 season. Her duties with the Seahawks program included working with the goalkeepers, as well as the strength and conditioning of the team.

DeCesare prides herself on the building of a family atmosphere around her team while promoting both academic and athletic excellence. Her players at UNCW have earned three academic awards from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) during her tenure.

"I am extremely excited about this opportunity at Western Carolina University," said DeCesare. "The academic excellence, athletic traditions, and campus' location are all factors that make Western Carolina University an institution full of potential and promise. I would also like to thank Paul Cairney and UNCW for the wonderful experiences during my tenure there."

DeCesare was a four-year starter at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., helping the Indians become a nationally ranked program. She helped Catawba capture a pair of South Atlantic Conference Tournament titles and one conference regular season championship during her playing career. Serving as a team captain, she earned All-Conference honors during her senior campaign. Additionally, DeCesare also played basketball at Catawba, duplicating her efforts as a team captain for the Indians' hoops squad and helping lead them to the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

Upon her graduation, DeCesare played two years of semiprofessional women's soccer for both the Hampton Roads (Va.) Piranhas and the Carolina Speed of the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL). While playing for the latter, she began her coaching career at East Rowan High School in Salisbury, N.C., as the head girl's soccer coach from 1996 through 1998. She made the move to the collegiate ranks in 1998 at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minn., serving as the head women's soccer coach and an assistant for softball. She helped transform the Piper program during her single season at the helm.

Wanting to progress along in the college ranks, DeCesare departed from Hamline in 1999 to take the position as the assistant coach at UNCW. She obtained her Masters of Education from UNCW in 2002, completing the program with a 4.0 grade point average. During that time, she also spent time coaching club soccer, serving as the associate director of the Port City Soccer Club.

What they're saying about DeCesare...

Chip Smith, Director of Athletics at Western Carolina University:

"Tammy has the qualities that we look for in a coach - energy, desire, dedication, successful recruiting experience in the state and a winning attitude. She has achieved success as both a student-athlete and as a coach and will bring that experience to Western Carolina. We look for Catamount Soccer to become a leader in the Southern Conference."

Paul Cairney, Head Women's Soccer Coach at UNC Wilmington:

"Tammy is a wonderfully energetic and enthusiastic coach. While I am sad that she is leaving, I am very excited for her and the opportunity she has. I am proud of her and everything she has done for our program. Western Carolina University will benefit from her presence, and I know that her team will enjoy working with her."