Godfrey, Ill. – Lewis and Clark Community College is announcing that Sonya Crider, former professional basketball player and assistant women’s basketball coach/recruiter at Brevard Community College, will head the Trailblazers women’s basketball team and assume the role of Assistant Athletic Director for the College.
Crider, a graduate of Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Science and presently is working to complete a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis on sports management.
While at NIU, Crider helped lead her team to two NCAA Division I tournaments. She is listed in the Top 10 in several record categories at NIU including being a member of NIU’s “1000 Point Club” for scoring 1,201 points during her career there from 1981-85. She also holds NIU records for career field goals made (518); is a career-leader in the “600 Rebound Club” with 856; is an all-time leader in single-game blocked shots (7) and a career leader in blocked shots (112), to name a few.
After college, Crider played professional basketball for several years in Europe and South America. While playing internationally, she won a Slam Dunk competition in Europe and led her team to back-to-back Cup Championships in South America.
Crider, who also has extensive experience in coaching and recruiting, expressed that coaching and mentoring young athletes is a passion she is eager to share in her new role at Lewis and Clark.
“I take pride in my student-athletes performance on and off the court,” Crider said. “My coaching experience is diversified covering intercollegiate, international, AAU competitive teams and high school teams, and I look forward to sharing my experiences in these areas in my roles at Lewis and Clark.”
In the off-season, Crider said she enjoyed her experience as head coach of the Orlando Sixers AAU team—one of Florida’s top teams—winning State and Regional Championships and competing at the national level. She also worked in community relations and as a youth programs associate for the Orlando Magic, Inc. where she coordinated a variety of activities for young athletics including Orlando Magic Youth Camps.
“We are very pleased to welcome Sonya to the Athletic Department,” said George Terry, vice president of Athletics and Student Life at Lewis and Clark Community College. “She has much to offer our women’s basketball team through her experiences as a player and coach as well as a diverse background in sports management and community relations which will enhance her experience here as assistant athletic director.”