ESU Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Marla Simmons Named to PSAC Social Justice Task Force

East Stroudsburg University women’s basketball assistant coach Marla Simmons is one of 22 members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s Social Justice Task Force, announced by PSAC commissioner Steve Murray on Wednesday.

The group will represent a broad spectrum of backgrounds with the common goal of combating racism and injustice while focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion within the league. The purpose is to assist the PSAC and its member institutions in developing and recommending policy, programs, initiatives and education for the awareness, improvement, and success of the conference’s efforts in diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice.

“Athletics has often led the positive social movements in history,” explains Murray. “Our role in improving the conversations and circumstance within which our member institutions operate is critical. With the creation of the taskforce, we take a significant step in having a positive influence for particularly our student-athletes.”

The task force will be composed of a diverse blend of student-athletes, coaches, campus administrators and athletics department staff members, with at least one representative from each of the league’s 18 full member institutions.

Simmons has been a member of the ESU women’s basketball coaching staff since the 2015-16 season and has helped the Warriors to two PSAC Final Four appearances, in 2017 and most recently 2020, when ESU finished with a 20-10 record under first-year head coach Stephanie Del Preore.

She is a 2015 graduate of PSAC member Bloomsburg University, where she was the PSAC East Athlete of the Year and WBCA All-America honorable mention as a senior. Simmons helped the Huskies to four straight PSAC East divisional titles, four straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, the 2013 PSAC championship and Atlantic Region runner-up finishes in both of her last two years.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be involved and to make a difference,” said Simmons. “Universities are stepping up in multiple ways all across the country to address the issues of social injustices and I’m proud to be part of a conference that is dedicated to doing the same. Let’s get to work!”

“We are very pleased and honored to have Coach Simmons selected for this important PSAC task force,” said Dr. Gary R. Gray, ESU director of athletics. “I know she will do an excellent job in addressing the critical charges given to the task force. We will support her efforts and the efforts of the entire task force in every way we can.”

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Social Justice Task Force members

Name, Institution, Position Title

• Molly Marnella, Bloomsburg – Faculty Athletics Representative
• Scott Zema, California (Pa.) – Head Athletic Trainer
• Jana Ashley, Clarion – Head Women’s Basketball Coach
• Marla Simmons, East Stroudsburg – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
• Katherine Robbins, Edinboro – Director of Athletics
• Becky Perry, Gannon – Director, Center for Social Concerns
• Richard Hsaio, Indiana (Pa.) – Graduate Coordinator, Sports Studies
• Melinda Quinones, Kutztown – Director Multi-Cultural Services
• Lindsay Reese, Lock Haven – Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach
• Nichole Book, Mansfield – Library Services, Chair DEI Committee
• Stacey Gaudette, Mercyhurst – SWA/Title IX Coordinator
• JC Morgan, Millersville – Head Football Coach
• Ray Wrabley, Pitt-Johnstown – Faculty Athletics Representative
• Andre London, Seton Hill – Assistant Football Coach
• Chauncey Winbush, Shepherd – Director of Athletics
• Chartice Wyatt-Thermil, Shippensburg – Director, S-A Academic Services
• Torry Rollins, Slippery Rock – Associate Athletics Director
• Damien Blair,. West Chester – Head Men’s Basketball Coach
• Zane Lewis, Shepherd – Student-Athlete, Football
• Rachel Johnson, Indiana (Pa.) – Student-Athlete, Women’s Swimming
• Laurie Carter, Shippensburg – President (Ex Officio Chair, Presidents Executive Committee)
• Chris Snyder, Seton Hill – Director of Athletics (Ex Officio Chair, Athletic Administrators Executive Committee)

About the PSAC

Headquartered in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference comprised of 18 institutions in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The member institutions are Bloomsburg University, California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, East Stroudsburg University, Edinboro University, Gannon University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Mercyhurst University, Millersville University, The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University, Shepherd University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University and West Chester University.

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