Payne Leaves Successful Program Behind
7/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 20, 2011
FORT WORTH, Texas - After eight successful years as an assistant coach and five as a player, Tricia Payne has decided to step away from coaching to pursue other career opportunities.
"Tricia has and will continue to be a huge part of our women's basketball program," said head coach Jeff Mittie. "She has been instrumental in our success both as a player and as a coach. We wish her the best in her future business endeavors."
Payne starred for the Frogs from 1998 to 2003. When she was hired on June 9, 2004, she became the first former player of Jeff Mittie's to later be hired on his staff.
A member of TCU's first three NCAA Tournament teams, Payne has helped her alma mater reach the national tournament in three of her five seasons since being promoted to an assistant coach. Overall, the Frogs are one of only 20 teams in the nation to record nine NCAA berths in the last decade and one of only two teams in the state of Texas to go to 11-straight postseason berths, which both date back to Payne's time on the roster. Since her arrival on staff, the Frogs combined for a 128-67 record (.656 winning percentage). Individually, Payne has helped tutor numerous post-players, including current junior Starr Crawford, who earned all-conference accolades as well as all-defensive team honors this past season.
Payne came to TCU in fall 1998 after playing at Duncan High School in Duncan, Okla., and finished her career ranked third on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,178 points. She currently ranks seventh on the list. In 2007, her athletic success was recognized with the induction into the Duncan High School Hall of Fame.
She suffered a torn ACL prior to her senior season and redshirted before becoming the fifth 1,000-point scorer in school history Dec. 28, 2002, in a 70-53 upset victory over No. 8 Vanderbilt. She averaged double figures in scoring in each of her first three years and continues to rank No. 2 on the school's career record for free throw percentage behind only recent graduated senior Emily Carter. She also ranks among the top 10 in career games played, games started, 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, 3-point percentage, free-throws made, free-throws attempted and assists.
"I am really appreciative of my time at TCU the last 13 years and will forever be a Horned Frog," said Payne. "TCU will always have a special place in my heart and I am so thankful for the wonderful experiences I have had."
Payne accumulated a number of honors as a Frog. She helped the Purple and White earn its first bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2001, the same season she led TCU to its first conference tournament crown. Payne was subsequently named the Western Athletic Conference Tournament MVP after tallying 26 points against Hawaii in the title game. She was named TCU's Player of the Year in 2002 and earned the Janice Dziuk Award in 2003.
