Press Conference (LIVE)

HAMILTON, N.Y. (5/3/11) – Colgate University Director of Athletics David Roach announced today (Tuesday, May 3) the hiring of Nicci Hays Fort as the head coach of the Colgate women's basketball program. Hays-Fort arrives in Hamilton after spending the past five seasons as an assistant coach at DePaul University (2006-11). She served as the associate head coach for the Blue Demons during the 2010-11 season.

“We are very excited that Nicci Hays Fort will be leading our women's basketball program,” stated Roach. “Nicci's experiences as a head coach at Barry University and her most recent position as associate head coach at DePaul University have prepared her well to be an outstanding head coach. She is a student of the game and embraces the whole scholar-athlete concept. I look forward to working with her in support of our program. This is a great day for Colgate.”

Hays Fort worked under the tutelage of legendary coach Doug Bruno, who was recently selected to assist the 2011 USA Basketball Women's National Team.

“I am very excited for Colgate University and Nicci Hays Fort,” said coach Bruno. “Nicci has been the backbone of our staff through her successful five year run. We just finished our best season in school history and Nicci Hays-Fort played a vital role in our success. Her work ethic and her energy are second to none.”

Hays Fort helped guide the Blue Demons to five NCAA Tournaments and combined for an 112-54 record. Last season DePaul advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second time in program history, the first time since 2006. The team finished 29-7 overall and ranked in the top-10 of the national polls. The 29 wins were the most by any team in DePaul's history.

“While it is always difficult to lose a coach of Nicci Hays Fort's talent and while she will be very difficult to replace it is always a special day in coaching when one of your own takes a step up to become a head coach,” said coach Bruno. “Colgate is getting a special talent and a special person in Nicci Hays Fort.”

Hays Fort has also helped mentor 14 All-BIG EAST performers, while numerous student-athletes have been honored for their academic achievements in the classroom.

Before joining the staff at DePaul, Hays Fort served as the head coach at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., from 2002-06. After taking over the NCAA Division II program at Barry in 2002, she coached seven All-Sunshine State Conference selections, the 2004 SSC Freshman of the Year, and three other all-freshmen picks. She had 10 student-athletes named to the SSC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. She recruited Rebecca Segert, who became the leading rebounder and scorer with over 2,000 points at the US Merchant Marine Academy.

The Monroe City, Mo. native served as an assistant coach at Nicholls State University for two seasons from 2000-02 and was the first head coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy during the 1999-00 campaign.

As a student-athlete, Hays Fort was a two-sport letterwinner in basketball and softball at Truman State University (Mo.) before finishing her career at Culver-Stockton College (Mo.). She earned a bachelor of science in psychology and a minor in mathematics from Culver-Stockton in 1998. Hays averaged 4.1 points and 1.8 assists on the basketball court before moving to the diamond and hitting .300 as a shortstop at Culver-Stockton.

In addition to her coaching duties at Barry, Hays Fort was also the assistant compliance coordinator. She is married to Gregg Fort, who is Assistant Vice President for University Advancement at DePaul University.

Along with her on-the-court activities with the Blue Demons, Hays Fort was also involved with Habitat for Humanity, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart and Misericordia. She has been a member of the Women's Sports Foundation since 2000 and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association since 1998.

Roach will formally introduce Hays Fort at a press conference Wednesday (May 4) at 11:00 a.m. EST. Live video of the press conference will be available on www.livestream.com/colgateuniversity.

The introduction of Hays Fort will be held in the Wooster Room located in Huntington Gym. Both Roach and Hays-Fort will be unavailable for media interviews until Wednesday's press conference.