FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University athletic department officials have announced the addition of John Basaldu as an assistant coach for women’s basketball and Kristi Eyler as an assistant coach for women’s soccer.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Basaldu comes to FMU after two seasons as an assistant at Louisburg College in North Carolina. His primary responsibilities will include recruiting, on-floor coaching, individual player workouts, pre- and post-season workouts, and helping in the area of academic support for team members.

During his two seasons at Louisburg, the Lady Hurricanes posted a 49-6 record and captured a pair of Region X titles. He helped develop six All-Conference performers and two Region X Players of the Year at Louisburg.

A 2003 graduate of Michigan State University, he has over nine years of basketball coaching experience. A native of Portland, Mich., he served as a video coordinator for the WNBA’s Detroit Shock during its championship season in 2003.

“John is a tireless worker and competitor,” said first-year FMU head coach Heather Macy.  “From our initial conversation, I knew he would be the perfect fit to complete our staff, a staff that is sold on a specific vision for FMU Basketball.”

Basaldu responded, “I am very excited to be joining coach Macy's staff and to be a part of the Francis Marion family.  She has done a tremendous job every place she has been and I look forward to helping continue that trend and to bring Francis Marion back to a championship level program.”

Macy took over the Francis Marion coaching reigns in March, and welcomes back all five starters from last season’s 6-22 squad.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Eyler returns to FMU where she was a member of the Patriot soccer team from 2001 to 2004. She most recently served as a sports marketing intern at Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where she helped organize the 2006 NAIA men’s soccer national championship tournament.

Her primary responsibilities at FMU will include recruiting, on-field coaching, individual player workouts, pre- and post-season workouts, and helping in the area of academic support for team members.

During her playing career, she earned All-Peach Belt Conference honors and second-team NSCAA All-Southeast Region recognition in 2004. She served as a Patriot team captain in 2003 and 2004 and was selected to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll all four years. FMU compiled a 51-22-3 record with Eyler on the field, including winning the 2004 PBC regular-season crown and the PBC Tournament in 2001. In 68 career matches, the Abingdon, Md., native tallied 11 goals and 13 assists.

Upon completion of her playing career, she coached at The Brynes School, helping guide the Trojans to the 2005 state championship. After earning her degree in 2005, she worked at the Summit Sports Training Center in West Chester, Pa.

“Being familiar with my coaching style and approach, Kristi should easily transition into her new position,” said FMU head coach Marty Beall.  “I am impressed with her soccer knowledge, and I know she will be an important asset to our program. As a product of our program, she also possesses a sense of pride in our institution that is unique to an FMU graduate. I look forward to all she will add to Patriot soccer.”

Beall is entering his fifth year on the Francis Marion bench. FMU returns 12 letterwinners (nine starters) from last year’s 11-5-3 squad that continued the program’s two-year transition from NCAA Division II affiliation to Division I membership. The Patriots were the fourth most improved team in NCAA Division I according to Somis Sports, after improving upon a 5-9-1 record in 2005.