NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State women’s basketball coach Debra Clark announced Thursday the hiring of Norfolk native Patrena Trice-Hill as the Spartans’ new assistant coach.
Trice-Hill’s primary responsibilities will be recruiting and player development, with an emphasis on the Spartan post players. She replaces Kenny Edwards, who resigned to pursue another coaching opportunity.
“We’re happy to have coach Trice-Hill join the program,” Clark said. “She has a wealth of experience as a player and coach. We feel she will be able to help our post players blossom into the players we know they can be, and we know she will be a great addition on the recruiting trail, as well.”
“It is an honor and a privilege to be back in my hometown of Norfolk working here at NSU,” Trice-Hill said. “The growth of Norfolk State University has impacted the entire city and the athletics department is becoming more attractive to student-athletes both locally and nationwide. I look forward to assisting Debra Clark and staff in building the women’s basketball program.”
Trice-Hill has 11 years of assistant college coaching experience and has coached programs in the ACC, CAA and MEAC, among others. As a player, Trice-Hill was a four-year star at North Carolina State and later spent 14 years playing professionally, including a stint in the WNBA.
Trice-Hill comes to NSU from Columbia University, where she served on staff for the 2012-13 season. Prior to her stint at Columbia, Trice-Hill spent two seasons on the bench at VCU. She helped the Rams to a pair of WNIT appearances, including a berth in the 2012 WNIT Sweet 16.
Trice-Hill went to VCU after a one-year stint at Shaw University (2009-10). There, she helped recruit the class that formed the nucleus of three straight CIAA title teams and the 2012 NCAA Division II national championship squad.
Prior to Shaw, Trice-Hill spent five seasons as an assistant at her alma mater, N.C. State, under Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow. During her tenure at N.C. State, the Wolfpack advanced to three NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007, and made the WNIT semifinals in 2008.
Trice-Hill got her coaching start at NSU’s MEAC rival, Hampton University, from 2002-04. The Lady Pirates won a pair of MEAC titles in her tenure, advancing to the NCAA Tournament both times.
Trice-Hill moved into the coaching ranks after a stellar playing career. She was a four-year All-ACC member at N.C. State, where she helped the Wolfpack win ACC titles in 1985 and 1987 and four straight NCAA berths. Trice-Hill was a 1986 finalist for the Wade Trophy, which honors the top NCAA Division I collegiate women’s basketball player. She graduated with 1,761 career points and 984 career rebounds and had her jersey No. 15 retired.
After N.C. State, Trice-Hill played professionally for 14 seasons. She spent one season with the WNBA’s New York Liberty, helping the squad to the league finals. She also played professionally in France, Spain, Italy and Brazil.
Trice-Hill earned her bachelor’s degree from N.C. State in speech communications in 1987. She and her husband, Derrick Hill, have one daughter, Kiana Trice-Hill.