Melanie Ford enters her first year as the program's new assistant coach.

Ford comes to Shepherd from Wheeling Jesuit where she served as a graduate assistant while completing her master's degree in business administration.

Prior to coach at Wheeling, Ford was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Charleston (1996-2000) where she earned First Team All-Conference honors as a junior and served as team captain as a senior. Ford helped lead the Golden Eagles to the WVIAC Tournament Championship in 1998-99. She also set several scoring records at UC.

Ford brings a wealth of basketball knowledge that began in Galveston, IN, where her father was her high school coach. In addition to her playing and coaching experience, Ford has had the opportunity to work several prestigious camps, including camps at Tennessee, Purdue, and Duke Universities.

At Shepherd she will be involved in every aspect of the program and solely responsible for many of them. After successfully directing preseason conditioning , the Rams are ready for a another season of wearing down their opponents.

On the court Ford will be working with the guards and lending a hand on both offense and defense. Off the court she will serve as the recruiting coordinator and will also be responsible for travel, scouting, compliance, and various other duties. Ford also teaches classes at Shepherd.

"We are very lucky to have Melanie with us. She's a perfect fit here at Shepherd. She has adapted with ease, due to her extensive experience in the WVIAC. With similar coaching philosophies, she has earned the trust the girls almost instantly. She will play a major role in any and all of our success in the seasons to come." - Coach Runner