March 9, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest Director of Athletics Ron Wellman announced Tuesday that the contract of Demon Deacon women's basketball coach Charlene Curtis will not be renewed.

"We appreciate everything that Charlene has done for the women's basketball program over her seven seasons," said Wellman. "While her won-loss record was not at the level we desire for this program, Charlene has been a tremendous influence and role model to her players. She was an outstanding representative of Wake Forest and this community."

The Demon Deacons went 12-17 overall and 4-12 in the ACC this past year.

Named head coach in 1997, Curtis directed the Deacs to a 67-129 (.342) overall record and 21-91 (.188) mark in the ACC. Her coaching tenure was highlighted this past season when the Demon Deacons captured their first ACC Tournament victory since the 1998-99 season.

Curtis came to Wake Forest in 1997 from the University of Connecticut, where she served as an assistant coach for two seasons under head coach Geno Auriemma. In that time, Curtis helped lead the Huskies to a combined 67-5 record and two Big East conference championships. The team advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 1996 and to the Elite Eight in 1997.

Wellman said that a national search for a new head coach would begin immediately.