CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Saluki women’s basketball staff for the 2022-23 season is complete after four new additions, head coach Kelly Bond-White announced today.
Claudia Walker comes to Carbondale from Texas A&M, where she previously worked alongside Bond-White for numerous seasons. Walker will serve as the Director of Basketball Internal Operations
“Claudia Walker is the most patient, conscientious, detail oriented, teammate I’ve ever had,” Bond-White said. “She literally ran our office at Texas A&M for the last 15 years. If you asked every coached that walked those hallways, they would tell you she was the real MVP. Claudia’s jump-right-in nature saw her be a huge part of our success with our student workers, summer camps, fall clinics, luncheons, community relations, budget management, player development and coaches’ travel. The time she put in to the smallest of details to make our players feel special never went unnoticed. It was that attention to detail, coupled with her faith-led management skill set, that had me name her our Director of Basketball Internal Operations.”
Jordan Alford joins as a full-time staff member after spending the past two seasons with Saluki women’s basketball as a graduate assistant. Alford will hold the roles of Video Coordinator and Director of Basketball External Operations.
“Jordan Alford impressed me everyday she showed up ready to tackle whatever I threw at her,” Bond-White said. “I know she had those moments of ‘Okay, this lady is crazy,’ but she never wavered. I tested her to see if she would fold under ‘this is too much,’ or ‘those expectations are crazy.’ Jordan never did! Her title is just as long as her responsibilities and I let her know she will get the chance to do a little or a lot of everything this year! I’m excited to have Jordan stay on as our Video Coordinator & Director of Basketball External Operations.”
Shadrian McDaniel is one of two graduate assistants coming to Carbondale. A native of the Chicagoland area, McDaniel played her prep career at Kenwoood High School before continuing her academic and athletic careers at the University of St. Francis, where she was a three-year starter on a Fighting Saints team that averaged 25 wins per season during her tenure.
“Shadrian McDaniel just wrapped up an impressive collegiate career at the University of St. Francis,” Bond-White said. “After competing with and against some of our current players and recruits in the Chicagoland area, Shay’s hunger, resume, and recommendations set her apart in my search for an entry level GA position. Some of her duties will be to assist in photography, video, graphics, social media, statistics, and our empowerment program.”
Harison Russell rounds out the women’s basketball staff as a graduate assistant. Russell has previous experience working with Bond-White at Texas A&M as a student manager.
“Harison Russell was my head manager for the last two years at Texas A&M,” Bond-White said. “He was selfless and hard-working. He was also a sponge for the game. He understands the pace and expectations I have for practice with my players, practice players and managers. It is difficult for some young people to draw a line to be able to separate being a young administrator while also being the players’ age. Harison was able to efficiently do just that. Some of his duties will be to assist in equipment, analytics, overseeing managers and travel. I believe in rewarding hard work and I’m overjoyed that Harison will complete our staff.”
