MURFREESBORO – Calling her new home a place of “family, faith, and pride”, LaToya Jones was introduced here Friday morning as the new women’s basketball coach at Chowan University. She will assume her new duties on June 1.

The Atlanta, GA native arrives in Murfreesboro and inherits a program that posted a program-best 20-9 overall record in 2016, made the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament semi-finals, and earned the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance with an at-large bid.

Jones succeeds Pat Mashuda, who left earlier this month to accept an assistant coaching position at Kent State University in Ohio.

“I hope to continue the winning mentality; I hope to continue the winning attitude,” Jones said afterward in an interview. “I want to extend the history, not have just a historic moment. Chowan continues to grow as a campus, student body, and in the athletic realm. I’m grateful to be part of a thriving university that meets challenges with innovation, opportunity with enthusiasm, and change with embrace.”

Jones was introduced before a throng of university personnel and supporters in the lobby of the Helms Center, accompanied by her husband, Alex Jones – who will serve as the school’s new strength and conditioning coach; her infant son, Jeremiah Alexander, and her parents and mother-in-law.

University President, Dr. M. Christopher White, presented Jones with a welcome basket of school and CIAA gifts. He thanked Mashuda for a dozen years of service and challenged Jones to emulate that success.

“I’m eager to welcome LaToya and her family to Chowan,” White commented. “The women’s basketball program is primed for a successful season and I’m excited to see all that we will accomplish with LaToya as coach.”

Though this is her first head coaching position, Jones landed in Murfreesboro after spending three seasons as an assistant at UNC-Greensboro, and one season there as Lady Spartans Director of Basketball Operations. Prior to her time at UNCG, Jones spent two seasons at her alma mater, Gardner-Webb University, where she was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team, earned Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic and led the Bulldogs to their first-ever A-Sun Tournament final in 2006, and earned a degree in elementary education in 2008. Later, on staff at GWU, the Lady Bulldogs won their first-ever Big South Conference Tournament title and made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

Jones began her coaching career at Providence Day School in Charlotte where she assisted the Chargers to two state championship appearances, including the state 3A title in 2010.

Hawks’ Athletic Director Ozzie McFarland noted, “She’s a person of incredible character with a wealth of basketball knowledge and the right person to take leadership of the program and to continue the program’s upward trend.”

Jones added, “I knew this opportunity would come, I just didn’t know when. You have to pay something along the way, and that’s what I feel I’ve done. I’m committed to winning relationships on the court and in life. Fans can expect to see the Chowan women’s basketball team play with purpose, passion, and excitement.”

Jones’ new team lost just one lone senior – leading scorer Alisha Mobley – and has four starters among the 13 returnees, including CIAA Rookie of the Year, Jada Lee.