GLENVILLE, W.Va. (WV News) — After a sterling playing career at Fairmont Senior and Glenville State, Emily Stoller has been promoted from assistant coach to head coach of the Pioneers, the school announced Friday evening.
“I feel so unbelievably blessed for the amount of opportunities that Glenville has given me,” Stoller said. “I am grateful to Coach Kim Stephens for being a great coach, mentor and friend. I am also grateful to Coach Jesse Skiles for always believing in me as a player and a coach. Through my years here, the Glenville community has given me an overwhelming amount of support. I am beyond excited for this next chapter of our story. … Let’s get to work!
Stoller played for GSU from 2017-2020 and tallied 1,494 points in only three seasons. She remains 12th on the school’s all-time list. Glenville was 87-10 during her three years as a player.
She replaces Stephens, who left for the head coaching job at Marshall.
“Emily is going to be great for Glenville State University. She has been a big part of the program since her playing career. I am beyond proud of her and very excited to watch her as head coach,” Stephens said. “She bleeds blue and loves Glenville as much as anyone. I have no doubt she will give everything she has to keep the winning tradition alive. As she always reminded me, ‘It’s always a great day to be a Pioneer.’… Today, it’s extra special!”
Stoller began her collegiate career at Cleveland State before transferring to Glenville after her sister Abby signed with Stephens and the Pioneers.
With this hire, the Pioneer program remains committed to the unique system that has been a hallmark of the program for the last 14 years.
“Through this process, we have realized more than ever that the community, and also many of our alumni, had a strong desire to keep ‘The System’ in place,” GSU Athletic Director Skiles said. “With Coach Stoller and her time both as a player and coach under Coach Stephens, we have someone well versed in what it takes to continue this legacy.”
“We are very excited about the hiring of Coach Stoller,” Glenville President Dr. Mark Manchin said. “She is a true Pioneer. As natives of North Central West Virginia; Emily, Abby and the entire Stoller family have been a big part of Lady Pioneer basketball. We are looking forward to next season and continuing this exciting brand of basketball.”
Stoller is now the fourth head coach at GSU who is a product of the “The System” — a fast-paced game of basketball noted by pressure defense and high-volume substitutions.
This style arrived for the 2010 season with coach Bunky Harkleroad, who was at Glenville for four years.
That was followed by three years of coach Charles Marshall and seven seasons under Stephens.
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