April 27, 2004

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Samford University Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Janet Cone was named Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina at Asheville Tuesday morning.

Cone, a native of Summerville, S.C., spent eight years at Samford, five as head women's basketball coach and the last three as Associate Director of Athletics. Cone is no stranger to Western North Carolina as she coached women's basketball at Mars Hill College (N.C.) and Western Carolina University prior to her time at Samford.

"Janet Cone is well prepared for this day. She has been involved in all aspects of our athletics department here at Samford and is ready to take on this challenge. She will bring a tireless work ethic to UNCA and will be an advocate for student-athlete welfare. It's a big loss for the Samford Bulldogs and a win for her new Bulldog program," said Samford Director of Athletics Bob Roller.

Cone graduated from Furman in 1978 with a degree in health and physical education and has a master's degree in P.E. from South Carolina.