RICHMOND, Ky. - A familiar face will return to the sidelines this season as Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball head coach Larry Joe Inman has announced the hiring of Chrissy Roberts as an assistant coach on his staff.

Roberts, a former standout for the Lady Colonels, comes to EKU after a coaching stint at Tennessee Tech last season. During that year, the Golden Eaglettes earned Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to TTU, Roberts served as a graduate assistant coach at EKU.

"I think it's an honor to be able to come back and coach at my alma mater," said Roberts. "I'm looking forward to working with Coach Inman and Coach (Joanna) Bernabei. They are two great coaches and I feel like I can learn a lot from both of them."

After playing her first two years of collegiate basketball at the University of Kentucky, Roberts transferred to EKU where she led the Lady Colonels to their most successful season with their first-ever OVC Tournament championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance. She received the Ed Steitz Award for having the top three-point field goal percentage in the nation (.488) and had her uniform, practice gear and shoes enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Ma. Roberts was named to the All-OVC first team during both her campaigns at EKU and was named OVC Player of the Year as a senior.

Roberts also starred at the high school level, earning first team All-State honors and MVP of the Eighth Region during her senior year after leading Eminence high school to the Regional playoffs. She also participated in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Game as a senior.

"Chrissy brings so much to our program, having been a successful player and coach in our conference," said Inman. "For her to come back and be a part of our coaching staff means a lot to me and our players, and I feel our team will be a much better program because of her."

The 25-year-old Roberts graduated from EKU in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. She has also earned her master's degree in sports administration from EKU.