April 27, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. --- Wake Forest University head women's basketball coach Mike Petersen has announced the hiring of former Georgetown assistant coach Natasha Adair to his basketball staff. Adair, a former standout at South Florida, completes Petersen's coaching staff and will work primarily with the post players, while assisting in both scouting and recruiting.

"I am very excited that Natasha has joined our staff," Petersen said. "She brings tremendous experience after six years in the Big East Conference. Natasha really knows what it takes to win and will make our program better. She has the motivation to excel and I think, both the student-athletes we have on the team and future recruits, will benefit greatly from her joining the staff."

Adair comes to Wake Forest after six seasons as an assistant coach with the Hoyas. At Georgetown, Adair was primarily responsible for the Georgetown post players. She was also instrumental in the development of Georgetown All-American Rebekkah Brunson -- who was recently selected with the 10th overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. Along with her on-court duties, Adair oversaw the academic enrichment program for student-athletes and was also involved with the recruiting efforts and conditioning program.

"I feel honored and excited to continue my coaching career at Wake Forest," Adair said. "It is a great university with great people leading the way. I hope to come in and help take the women's basketball program to where we all know it can be. Our goal is to become one of the best in the ACC. I have a great opportunity here at Wake Forest to make that possible."

Adair, a native of Washington D.C., went on to Pensacola Junior College before completing her college career at the University of South Florida. She graduated from USF in 1994 with a bachelor of arts in communications. Adair completed her associate degree from Pensacola J.C. in 1992 and was the women's basketball team's leading rebounder and team captain.

While at South Florida, she played both power forward and center -- serving as the team captain during the 1993-94 season. Adair led the team in rebounding with 12.5 rebounds per game that season. As a senior, she led the team in double-doubles and finished third in the Metro Conference in rebounding.

Off the floor at South Florida, Adair, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was the organization's community representative -- speaking to Boy's and Girl's Clubs and also led a Feed the Homeless Campaign.

Prior to being named an assistant coach at Georgetown in August of 1998, Adair served as the assistant director of the Athletic Association at South Florida. In that capacity, she was responsible with fundraising for scholarships and served as a liaison for the school's Title IX committee. During her tenure within the USF athletic department, Adair chaired the annual Scholarship Auction and also served as the athletic department's United Way representative.

Adair and her husband, Aaron, have a six-year old son named Aaron Michael Adair.

Adair joins associate head coach Fred Applin and assistant coach Amy Waugh on the Demon Deacon coaching staff. Petersen will hire a Director of Women's Basketball Operations in the coming weeks.