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Behind the Team: Player Development
September 16, 2016 06:39 PM | Women's Basketball
During the summer, WVUsports.com will give women’s basketball fans an inside look at the team behind the team. These individuals help the Mountaineers succeed academically and athletically. The sixth feature in the series focuses on the coordinator of player development, Lauren Reda.
The newest addition to the West Virginia University women’s basketball staff is a familiar face. Lauren Reda was named the Mountaineers’ coordinator of player development during the summer. She is looking forward to helping the Mountaineers get more active within Morgantown and Monongalia County.
“My job entails helping our team with community outreach,” said Reda. “I help plan events for our athletes to attend such as the children’s hospital, Stepping Stones or even team-building activities.”
Reda spent three years as student manager for the women’s basketball program from 2012-2015 and is excited to return to the program.
“I spent three years as a manager and loved every moment of it and everybody on staff,” said Reda. “It felt like coming back home.”
For the past year, Reda served as the graduate assistant for the WVU Varsity Club. She organized alumni reunions, coordinated tailgate events and promoted the events on the organization’s website and social media platforms. Reda worked extensively with alumni from around the country to help promote events nationally.
“It learned a lot from the position because I had to communicate and interact with people on a professional level,” noted Reda. “It helped me develop a lot of planning and organizing skills that will be beneficial for this position.”
She understands creating a lifetime bond between the Mountaineers and their fans. Reda, a native of Pittsburgh, has strong Mountaineer ties that last generations. Her grandfather, Frank, played on the WVU JV basketball team in 1942-43 and the varsity team during the 1943-44 season. He eventually graduated from the WVU Medical School. Reda’s father, Tony, played in 11 games as quarterback for the Mountaineers from 1982-1985. Her mother Carri also graduated from West Virginia.
“My family has a lot of ties to Morgantown and West Virginia University,” exclaimed Reda. “It was the perfect place for me and it was a great opportunity for me to continue my career at a place that means so much to my family.”
Reda emphasized that she hopes to have the Mountaineers more involved and has coach Mike Carey’s full support. In one of her first ventures in her position, Reda along with Director of Operations/Assistant to the Head Coach Pat Biondo, helped organize the team’s flood relief efforts in Rainelle, West Virginia, after the area suffered severe flooding.
“Coach Carey is fully supportive in making sure our student-athletes are involved and helping out our community. It’s very important for our student-athletes to give back to the people who have always supported us. Plus, it gives our student-athletes an opportunity to interact with others within the community.”
For Reda, it’s a perfect fit and she’s ready to get started.
“Our student-athletes are a joy to work with,” said Reda. “We have a great group of girls and I look forward to working with them this season.”
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