Aug. 17, 2006

MEMPHIS - University of Memphis head softball coach Windy Thees announced today the hiring of Ashley Blanton as an assistant coach.

Blanton, a former player for Thees at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, comes to Memphis after a season as a graduate assistant coach with the University of Tennessee-Martin. With the Lady Tigers, Blanton will work with the infielders and hitters

"Ashley is one of the most complete players I have ever coached," Thees said. "She is a very driven and competitive person who matches what we hope to accomplish here at Memphis."

Before coaching for the Skyhawks, the High Springs, Fla., native served as an assistant coach with Mars Hills College in North Carolina. At MHC she helped the Lions increase their win total by 13 games in the 2005 season and improve in almost every statistical category.

As a player, Blanton started every game at second base during her one year with Thees at GCSU in 2004. She finished the season hitting .264 with six home runs, 38 hits, 15 RBI and a .969 fielding percentage, while leading the Bobcats to a 33-18 overall record.

Blanton began her collegiate career at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla., where she played both basketball and softball from 1999-2001. With the Saints, Blanton earned All-Mid-Florida Conference second team honors in 2001. She was also named to the All-State Junior College Academic Team and to the MFC All Academic Team in 2000 and 2001.

After Santa Fe CC, Blanton spent two years at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega. At NGCSU, she was a two-year starter and helped lead the Saints to two Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference championships in 2002 and 2003. Her 2003 team finished 50-8 with a perfect 20-0 conference record after finishing 39-6 and 16-4 in 2002.

Blanton received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia College & State University in 2004. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in business administration.