"Sharon brings 17 years of coaching experience and knowledge of the game," said Thomas-Swinson. "She will be an asset to the program with her on-court responsibilities with the guards and posts. I am extremely excited that she is on board."

Sept. 8, 2008

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Sharon Allen has been named as an assistant coach for The University of Tulsa women's basketball team, as announced today by Head Coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson.

"Sharon brings 17 years of coaching experience and knowledge of the game," said Thomas-Swinson. "She will be an asset to the program with her on-court responsibilities with the guards and posts. I am extremely excited that she is on board."

Allen, a native of Culpeper, Virginia, served as the Culpeper High School Head Girls Basketball Coach from 2004-07. During her tenure, her teams improved on a yearly basis, and advanced to the post-season conference tournament all three seasons.

Prior to her stint at CHS, Allen served as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Tennessee State University for the 2003-04 campaign. In the previous five seasons, she was an assistant coach at Mississippi State, where she helped coach two All-Americans - LaToya Thomas and Tan White, both of whom were WNBA first round draft picks. During her time with MSU, the team went to post-season play all five years.

Allen also served as the head coach for Saint Louis University, an assistant coach at Kansas State, Drake and George Washington, and as a graduate assistant for East Tennessee State.

Allen played collegiately for East Tennessee State University for four years, where she earned her way into the 1,000-Point Club. She received her bachelor's degree in physical education from ETSU in 1981.