Two aides join YSU women’s hoop staff

Special to The Vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State women’s basketball coach Bob Boldon has added two assistant coaches to his staff for the 2010-11 season.

Jen Gwin and Taveras Jackson were officially named on Monday.

Gwin has spent three seasons at the Division I level, including the past two at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.

Jackson spent the past six seasons as the recruiting coordinator at Slippery Rock University.

“I’m very pleased to welcome two enthusiastic and passionate coaches to our staff in Jen and Taveras,” Boldon said. “Their experience, knowledge and character will be great assets as we begin to re-establish the winning tradition here at Youngstown State.”

Gwin will be responsible for on-floor coaching, game preparation, assist with recruiting, overseeing academic and equipment needs and organizing YSU’s individual camps. Jackson will serve as the recruiting coordinator as well as helping with on-floor coaching, game preparation, scheduling and the program’s team camp.

Gwin has been part of two successful mid-major programs at Canisius and Saint Francis (Pa.). In her first season at Canisius, the Golden Griffins went 24-9, advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship game and played in the Women’s NIT.

Gwin began coaching as a student assistant at her alma mater, Gannon.

Jackson served as the top assistant at Slippery Rock for the past six years.

Slippery Rock advanced to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament, and three student-athletes earned All-PSAC recognition.

Jackson got his first Division I experience at Austin Peay during the 2002-03 season as the Governors posted their best season in school history. The Governors went 27-4 that season, won both the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles and played North Carolina in the NCAA tournament.

Jackson’s coaching career began at Bemidji State University in Minnesota as a graduate assistant. He played two years at Minnesota-Crookston after a two-year junior college playing career at Mid-State (Wis.) Technical College.

“Tavares is genuinely passionate about the game of basketball,” Boldon said. “He is a tireless worker and an outstanding recruiter. I am excited to have him join our staff.”

Boldon will announce the third member of his staff next week.