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SoCal High School & College News

Fresno Bulldog Signings For Men's AND
Women's Teams--(May 12, 1998)

Bulldog Men: Fresno State has signed Travis DeManby (6'-5" Sr SG) from Oregon's South Medford High, who is described as a quick, sure shooter from one of the more successful programs in the state.

Bulldog Women: Fresno State's women's program has hired it's first black female coach. Actually, we understand it's their first black coach in any sport, ever.

Britt King who saved the program at the University of the District of Columbia, and who led Coppin State College's women's program, has signed with Fresno to try to do the same with the Lady Bulldogs program, which has struggled in the past few years.

King's record was not stellar at Coppin State, (10-18 overall record, and 7-11 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) but her record at D.C. from 1992-97 was a bit better, finishing 64-57 overall. In 1994-95 DC was 20-6 and made NCAA Division II Tournament in 1994-95. King was named coach of the year by Black Coaches Sports Magazine in 1995, was the court coach for USA Basketball Olympic Festival tryouts in 1995, and averaged 19 points per game during her collegiate career at Providence College from 1982-86. Johnny Nelum, Fresno director of the NAACP, said Fresno State has moved into the 20th century with the rest of the sports world by hiring its first black coach. He said the whole image of African-Americans at Fresno State has to change and he is concerned that the city of Fresno isn't sending enough African-Americans to the campus as students. "There are a lot of athletes in this Valley that haven't been going to Fresno State, and that image has to change," Nelum said. "Fresno State is headed in the right direction. She'll be received quite well, but like anyone else of any color, she's got to win. If she doesn't do a good job, she'll be gone like the rest and it won't be a color thing. It'll be a winning thing."