University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldog Profiles: Summer Erb
12.01.2008 | Women's Basketball
By Joe George
Athletic Communications Assistant
Ever since she was in high school, Summer Erb dreamed of becoming a basketball coach. Following a remarkable career as a player at North Carolina State and a professional career with the Charlotte Sting of the WNBA and several teams overseas, Erb now finds herself living her high school dream as a third year assistant coach at UNC Asheville.
“I love the game and it has given so much to me,” says Erb. “It's always been my plan to turn around and give back to the next generation of players.”
Erb was known as one of the best players in the country during her time at NC State. The 6-foot-6 center was a member of the Wolfpack squad that made it to the Final Four in 1998 after defeating perennial power
At NC State, Erb played for one of the most respected and honored women's basketball coaches in Kay Yow. Now as a coach herself, Erb recognizes that she was blessed to have had the experience of playing for a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I count myself very lucky to have played for Coach Yow,” she says. “She has a very special way of getting her team to play for her. If I just have a little bit of her ability, I am very lucky.”
Following the 2000 season, Erb was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA Draft. She played on the Sting for three seasons and was a member of the 2001 team that made it to the WNBA Finals before falling to the Los Angeles Sparks. Erb enjoyed her time in the WNBA and believes she was especially lucky to have learned from some of the greatest minds women's basketball.
“Playing for the Sting was a great experience,” says Erb. “Our point guard was Dawn Staley, who was an Olympian and is now the head coach at
Erb also played overseas for teams in the Canary Islands,
“Playing overseas was an experience that I absolutely loved,” says Erb. “By the time I was 25, my passport was completely filled. I got to see some amazing things, especially in
In
“The fans are intense all over
Three years ago, Erb concluded her professional basketball career and joined Betsy Blose's staff as an assistant coach. She believes that her playing experience helps her get the most out of the players on the Bulldog roster.
“I hope I'm translating some of my life experiences in terms of goals the players need to set for themselves,” explains Erb. “Coach Blose has given me a wonderful opportunity to come on to her staff and impart some of my knowledge with our kids and with our coaches.”
As an assistant coach, Erb spends a large amount of her time managing UNC Asheville's film exchange program and scouting video of upcoming opponents. She also is involved with post player development and coordinating the team's community service activities. She works long hours, often 16 hours a day, but she enjoys her job and hopes to help turn around the team after a 1-5 start to the season.
“We set forth in the preseason that we wanted to win the Big South regular season title,” she says. “That has not changed. Our kids our talented and we're putting in the work, so hopefully we will be reaping the benefits shortly.”
The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday night as they will host mountain rival Western Carolina at the Justice Center. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m.
