July 12, 1999

FORMER LADY PALADIN SOCCER STANDOUT RETURNS AS ASSISTANT COACH

GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman University women's soccer coach Brian Lee announced on Monday that former team standout Laura Wise will return to the program as an assistant coach. Wise replaces Debbie Hensley, who left Furman to become the first women's soccer coach in Western Carolina history.

Wise graduated in 1998 with a degree in business administration and was one of Furman's first four-year letterwinners. Over the course of her career, she scored 16 goals and recorded six assists for 38 points. Wise ranks fifth in both career points and goals for the Lady Paladins. Wise was an All-Southern Conference selection her first two seasons, an all-tournament pick her junior year, and was selected as team MVP as a senior. She also claims the honor of winning the first-ever Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year award, an award that Furman has won three times in just five seasons. A solid all-around student, Wise was selected to the Southern Conference Honor Roll three times.

Wise, a versatile player who played forward, midfield, and defender while at Furman, will assist with all aspects of the program.

A native of Aiken, S.C., Wise attended South Aiken High School and will be earning a Masters in Business Administration from Clemson University. Wise spent the last year as an analyst at Suntrust Bank in Atlanta, Ga. She will start work at Furman on July 26, 1999.