George Washington University

May 24, 2012

WASHINGTON - George Washington head women's basketball coach Jonathan Tsipis announced today that Erica Williamson will join the Colonials' staff as director of basketball operations. Williamson spent last season in the same role at Loyola University (Md.).

"Adding Erica Williamson to my staff brings great energy, organization and basketball knowledge to the GW women's basketball program," Tsipis said. "Erica was a model student-athlete at Notre Dame, where her experiences as a player and campus leader will allow her to mentor our student-athletes. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she will help me in several administrative areas of our program."

Williamson's responsibilities will include video breakdown, team travel logistics, coordinating the team's community service efforts, overseeing the team managers and serving as the team's liaison to Colonials Sports Marketing, while also working closely with GW's equipment manager to fulfill the women's basketball team's exclusive Nike contract.

A four-year letterwinner at Notre Dame from 2006-10, while Tsipis was an assistant coach in South Bend, Williamson appeared in 130 games for the Fighting Irish, totaling 741 points and 539 rebounds. Her 125 career blocks ranks eighth all-time at Notre Dame, while her 1.19 blocks per game average is the seventh-best in program history.

The Charlotte, N.C., native helped the Irish to four consecutive 20-plus win seasons and four straight NCAA Tournament berths, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 2008 and 2010. She was a three-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection and was also named to the 2007 BIG EAST All-Freshmen Team.

Off the court, Williamson served as the Student-Athlete Advisory Council president during her senior year.

After graduating from Notre Dame in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in film, television and theatre, Williamson went on to play for the SV Halle Lions in the Damen Basketball Bundesliga 1st Division, the premier women's basketball league in Germany. She was the Lions' starting center during the 2010-11 season before leaving the team after having reconstructive surgery on both ankles.

Upon returning to the States, Williamson became the color commentator for UND.com during the women's basketball team's run to the 2011 Final Four. In addition, she wrote monthly stories for "Shootaround with Beth and Debbie" on WBCA.com.

"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to work with Coach Tsipis and his staff at the George Washington University," Williamson said. "Between the support from the athletics department, led by athletics director Patrick Nero, and the integrity, vision and dedication of Coach Tsipis, I fully believe GW women's basketball is positioned for greatness. I am honored and blessed to have the opportunity to help lead George Washington women's basketball back to the top of the Atlantic 10."