Jansen Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach

MARS HILL, N.C. - Sarah Jansen has been named as the new Head Women's Basketball Coach at Mars Hill College, Athletic Director David Riggins announced today. She will begin her duties immediately.

Jansen stated, "I want to thank David Riggins for the opportunity to join the family at Mars Hill College and lead the women's basketball program. I'm excited to build on the foundation laid by our former Lions and look forward to the future of our program."

Jansen came to MHC from Belmont Abbey College where she served as the Crusaders' top assistant for five seasons. Jansen's responsibilities Belmont Abbey included coordinating all aspects of recruiting, monitored academic progress, managed film exchange and opponent research systems and supervised the weight training and conditioning programs.

Riggins stated, "Sarah is a great addition to the Lions' basketball program. As a new head coach she brings energy and enthusiasm combined with five years of experience at the NCAA Division II level. Sarah is a self-starter who is well prepared for the new challenge."

Prior to her stint at Belmont Abbey, Jansen spent three seasons at Wofford College where the team increased their win total each year. Her primary responsibilities included working with the perimeter players and serving as the film exchange coordinator. The 2005-06 terriers ranked no. 1 nationally in steals per game. In the summer of 2005, Jansen coordinated and served as camp director for the first-ever Edgar I. Farmer Basketball Camp and Team Jamboree.

Jansen was a standout student-athlete at USC Upstate, serving as the team captain for three years (2001-02 through 20 03-04). While playing for the Rifles (now Spartans), she became the second player in school history to lead the team in assists for three consecutive campaigns. She also ranks in the school's top 10 career lists for assists (295/fifth), 3-point field goals made (74/fifth) and assists per game (2.92/eighth). She also served as the women's basketball team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the athletic department's participant in the USC Upstate Leadership Advancement Program.

While at USC Upstate, Jansen earned two bachelor's degrees. She garnered her first, a bachelor of arts in Psychology, in May 2004 and then a bachelor of science in Criminal Justice in August 2004. Jansen completed her master's degree in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2010.

At Gar-Field High, she was the starting point guard on the 1998 3-A Virginia state championship team.