Source: Be Stoney, 785-532-3531, bstoney@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415.
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, bbohn@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

BE STONEY IS UNIVERSITY'S NEW FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University professor who was a standout student-athlete in college and a coach at the collegiate level is K-State's new faculty athletics representative.

BeEtta "Be" Stoney, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, has been appointed to the position by Kirk Schulz, K-State president. Stoney will work closely with the K-State athletics department and Big 12 Conference on issues related to academic integrity, rules compliance and student-athlete welfare.

Stoney replaces Mike Holen, dean of K-State's College of Education, who stepped down in June after serving 11 years in the position.

"Dr. Stoney's background makes her ideal for the role of K-State's faculty athletics representative," said Kirk Schulz, K-State president. "As a hall-of-fame women's basketball player at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she also served as an assistant coach, and as an award-winning faculty member, she has a well-rounded perspective on the issues confronting both faculty and student-athletes when it comes to collegiate athletics and academics."

Schulz said part of Stoney's job is helping student-athletes excel in their sport and in the classroom.

"K-State is the leader in the Big 12 when it comes to the graduation rate of all student-athletes -- an accomplishment the university has claimed for three straight years now," he said. "High graduation rates for our students and student-athletes are one of the benchmarks K-State must attain to become a top 50 public research university by 2025."

John Currie, director of athletics at K-State, said Stoney is the right person for the job.

"We look forward to working with Dr. Stoney in her new role as faculty athletics representative," Currie said. "She brings great perspective to the position, understands the challenges and issues that face all students, including our student-athletes, and is a perfect fit to represent the faculty and ensure that our student-athletes are successful both on the field and in the classroom."

Stoney, a K-State faculty member since 1999, said she applied for the faculty athletics representation position because of the strong connection it has with her experiences as a student-athlete, coach and university professor.

"I was born to do this job. Athletics was a big part of my life for a long time, and I really didn't realize how much I missed it until I was told about this position," Stoney said. "I'm excited about the job. My past experiences give me a very unique advantage. I look forward to being a voice and a visible presence from the athletic and academic sides for our student-athletes."

Stoney has been indirectly involved in athletics as a mentor to student-athletes at K-State and other institutions. She is about to start her eighth year as a Big 12 Conference evaluator of basketball officials. She also has coached and been a basketball official at all levels.

Stoney, who teaches classes on multicultural issues, was promoted to associate professor in 2005. She is a K-State Tilford Fellow and served as special assistant to the provost in 2006-2007. She is the author of several book chapters. She has been president-elect of the Research Association for Minority Professors and is active with K-State's Black Faculty Staff Alliance, including serving as chair of the organization. She currently serves as a member of the President's Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics.

She has served on K-State's Developing Scholars Program committee, which provides opportunities for underrepresented students to perform research as undergraduates with a faculty mentor. She also has been a faculty mentor to K-State's McNair scholars, a comprehensive program to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as graduate students, professors and professional researchers.

Stoney earned a bachelor's in secondary education and a master's in kinesiology from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a doctorate in special education and multicultural education from the University of Texas at Austin.

She has been recognized by UTEP with several honors, including the university's Gold Nugget Award in 2008, which is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professional and personal life, given back to their communities and alma mater, and serve as an inspiration to future students.

Stoney will be inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame in October for her accomplishments as a member of the women's basketball team from 1977 to 1981. Stoney held the program's career points record for 30 years with 1,249 points; she now ranks third all-time. She had 563 career rebounds, making her just the second player in program history to reach 1,000 points and more than 500 rebounds. She also ranks in the top 10 in career free throws made with 217. Stoney is the only female to be a member of the 2010 hall-of-fame class and is just the third woman to be selected individually for the honor. After playing for UTEP, Stoney was a graduate assistant to the team from 1981-82, and then was an assistant coach from 1983-87.