Bucknell University Athletics
Coach Woodruff Elevates Sherill Baker to Associate Head Coach
9/26/2024 9:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell Bison women's basketball head coach Trevor Woodruff has announced the elevation of assistant coach Sherill Baker to associate head coach in preparation for the quickly impending 2024-25 season.
"I'm overjoyed with the opportunity to be elevated to Associate Head Coach," said Baker. "It's an incredible blessing to share my gifts by mentoring stellar athletes. Being under Coach Woodruff's umbrella has been a standard of excellence. He is a phenomenal leader and an incredible mentor to young women and a respected figure in the basketball world. I am elated and excited for this next step in my career journey."
Baker joined the staff from George Washington University before the 2023-24 season and made an immediate impact. Her work with the post players paid instantaneous dividends as the Bison used forwards Ashley Sofilkanich and Grace Sullivan as soaring skyscrapers against opponents. The post play powered the program's last season push into the Patriot League Tournament and were instrumental in the quarterfinals victory over American.Â
Coach Woodruff succinctly explained the promotion, "Sherill has made an immediate and positive impact on our program. She brings consistency to her work and connects well with our players. Her elevation is well-earned and deserved."
Sofilkanich enjoyed one of the finest years for a Bucknell freshman, as she became the first Bison in the program's decorated history to obtain three spots on All-League Teams. She notched slots on the All-Defensive, Rookie, and Third Teams. Sofilkanich averaged 12.5 ppg (second on the Bison) and collected 6.3 rebounds per game. She posted four double-doubles to lead the squad. Her 60 blocked shots ranked sixth in Bucknell's single-season list. Among Patriot League players, Sofilkanich ranked second in blocks and tenth in points.Â
Sullivan increased her output from 3.3 ppg to 8.7 ppg, as her pairing with Sofilkanich provided Bucknell with the best one-two inside punch in the Patriot League. Emma Theodorsson also worked with Baker on her post play and the lessons helped the dual guard/forward lead Bucknell in scoring with 13.2 ppg.
She spent a campaign at George Washington University during the 2022-23 season, where she coached the A-10 Sixth Player of the Year, Nya Robertson. The Colonials made the A-10 Tournament as the seventh seed, where the Bluff and Blue vanquished 10th seed Duquesne before losing in the next round to the second-seeded Rhode Island Rams. George Washington finished the season with an 18-13 record, including an 11-3 mark at home.
Before George Washington, Baker was an assistant coach at Georgia State for three seasons from 2019-2022. During her stint as a Panthers coach, she developed two Sun Belt First Team selections and one Sun Belt Third Team member.
Her assistant coach tenure at Kennesaw State University from 2016-19 witnessed Owl players dominate the league lists as 14Â awards were earned. Most notably, three ASUN Freshman of the Year honors were bestowed upon Baker's charges in Carlotta Gianolla, Kamiyah Street, and Amani Johnson.Â
Baker started her coaching career at Auburn, serving two seasons as their Video Coordinator/Director of Basketball Services and one year as an assistant coach from 2012-15. While a member of the Tigers coaching staff, two players were All-SEC Selections, and one was named to the All-Freshman team. The 2012-13 team made the Elite Eight in the NIT.
Baker attended the University of Georgia, where she played basketball and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication. The Bulldogs were a national force during her four years playing in four NCAA Tournaments, including three Sweet Sixteen appearances and one Elite Eight advancement. She started 122 out of 131 games and scored 1,665 career points (12.7 ppg). Knighted the "Queen of Steals," she still holds the single-season and career mark for steals in Georgia history and led the NCAA in steals per game (4.7) in 2005-2006. Baker enjoyed a banner year in 2006 when she was named All-American, All-SEC First Team, and National Defensive Player of the Year. In 2014, she was named an SEC Legend.
Following her accomplished collegiate career, Baker embarked on a distinguished professional career playing for numerous WNBA teams after being drafted 12th overall. Baker played for the following WNBA teams (in order of appearance): New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever, and Detroit Shock.
Her career also extended to playing abroad. While overseas, Baker played in the exotic locales of Rome, Italy, Ashdod, Israel, Aix en Provence, France, Holon, Israel, Limassol, Cyprus, Frankfurt, Germany, and Tel Aviv, Israel. She was part of a final-four Euro Cup team and an Israeli League Champion Club squad.
Baker and the Bison will begin the 2024-25 season in early November against a challenging non-conference slate when the Bison travel down Route 45 to play Penn State.Â
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"I'm overjoyed with the opportunity to be elevated to Associate Head Coach," said Baker. "It's an incredible blessing to share my gifts by mentoring stellar athletes. Being under Coach Woodruff's umbrella has been a standard of excellence. He is a phenomenal leader and an incredible mentor to young women and a respected figure in the basketball world. I am elated and excited for this next step in my career journey."
Baker joined the staff from George Washington University before the 2023-24 season and made an immediate impact. Her work with the post players paid instantaneous dividends as the Bison used forwards Ashley Sofilkanich and Grace Sullivan as soaring skyscrapers against opponents. The post play powered the program's last season push into the Patriot League Tournament and were instrumental in the quarterfinals victory over American.Â
Coach Woodruff succinctly explained the promotion, "Sherill has made an immediate and positive impact on our program. She brings consistency to her work and connects well with our players. Her elevation is well-earned and deserved."
Sofilkanich enjoyed one of the finest years for a Bucknell freshman, as she became the first Bison in the program's decorated history to obtain three spots on All-League Teams. She notched slots on the All-Defensive, Rookie, and Third Teams. Sofilkanich averaged 12.5 ppg (second on the Bison) and collected 6.3 rebounds per game. She posted four double-doubles to lead the squad. Her 60 blocked shots ranked sixth in Bucknell's single-season list. Among Patriot League players, Sofilkanich ranked second in blocks and tenth in points.Â
Sullivan increased her output from 3.3 ppg to 8.7 ppg, as her pairing with Sofilkanich provided Bucknell with the best one-two inside punch in the Patriot League. Emma Theodorsson also worked with Baker on her post play and the lessons helped the dual guard/forward lead Bucknell in scoring with 13.2 ppg.
She spent a campaign at George Washington University during the 2022-23 season, where she coached the A-10 Sixth Player of the Year, Nya Robertson. The Colonials made the A-10 Tournament as the seventh seed, where the Bluff and Blue vanquished 10th seed Duquesne before losing in the next round to the second-seeded Rhode Island Rams. George Washington finished the season with an 18-13 record, including an 11-3 mark at home.
Before George Washington, Baker was an assistant coach at Georgia State for three seasons from 2019-2022. During her stint as a Panthers coach, she developed two Sun Belt First Team selections and one Sun Belt Third Team member.
Her assistant coach tenure at Kennesaw State University from 2016-19 witnessed Owl players dominate the league lists as 14Â awards were earned. Most notably, three ASUN Freshman of the Year honors were bestowed upon Baker's charges in Carlotta Gianolla, Kamiyah Street, and Amani Johnson.Â
Baker started her coaching career at Auburn, serving two seasons as their Video Coordinator/Director of Basketball Services and one year as an assistant coach from 2012-15. While a member of the Tigers coaching staff, two players were All-SEC Selections, and one was named to the All-Freshman team. The 2012-13 team made the Elite Eight in the NIT.
Baker attended the University of Georgia, where she played basketball and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication. The Bulldogs were a national force during her four years playing in four NCAA Tournaments, including three Sweet Sixteen appearances and one Elite Eight advancement. She started 122 out of 131 games and scored 1,665 career points (12.7 ppg). Knighted the "Queen of Steals," she still holds the single-season and career mark for steals in Georgia history and led the NCAA in steals per game (4.7) in 2005-2006. Baker enjoyed a banner year in 2006 when she was named All-American, All-SEC First Team, and National Defensive Player of the Year. In 2014, she was named an SEC Legend.
Following her accomplished collegiate career, Baker embarked on a distinguished professional career playing for numerous WNBA teams after being drafted 12th overall. Baker played for the following WNBA teams (in order of appearance): New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever, and Detroit Shock.
Her career also extended to playing abroad. While overseas, Baker played in the exotic locales of Rome, Italy, Ashdod, Israel, Aix en Provence, France, Holon, Israel, Limassol, Cyprus, Frankfurt, Germany, and Tel Aviv, Israel. She was part of a final-four Euro Cup team and an Israeli League Champion Club squad.
Baker and the Bison will begin the 2024-25 season in early November against a challenging non-conference slate when the Bison travel down Route 45 to play Penn State.Â
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Players Mentioned
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