May 30, 2003

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Seth Greenberg has announced the hiring of two new staff members for the 2003-04 season. Eric Skeeters and Ryan Odom have been hired as assistant basketball coaches for the men's team.

Skeeters joins the staff from Youngstown State, where he served four seasons as an assistant coach under John Robic. At Youngstown, he was involved in all areas of the program, including individual workouts, monitoring the academic progress of the Penguins' basketball student-athletes, on-court coaching and recruiting.

Prior to YSU, Skeeters served for three seasons as an assistant coach for Ron Mitchell at Coppin State. With the Eagles, Skeeters assisted in all areas for the team and served as Coppin State's chief recruiter. While at Coppin State, Skeeters helped the Eagles to a three-year record of 58-30 and three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season championships. In 1997, Coppin State earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament and upset second-seed South Carolina 78-65. Skeeters also coached in the high school ranks for four seasons at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, where he coached Carmelo Anthony, the 2003 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year.

Skeeters earned his bachelor's degree in management science from Coppin State in 1997. He earned an A.A. degree in 1991 from Catonsville Community College in Baltimore, Md. At Catonsville, he played lacrosse and basketball for two seasons where he led his region in assists in 1989 and 1990. He was a standout basketball and lacrosse player at Woodlawn High School near Baltimore, where he earned all-conference honors in lacrosse. Skeeters and his wife Marie have a son, Evan.

"Eric Skeeters possesses energy and has a wealth of knowledge of the Baltimore/Washington/Northeast area, as well as the Midwest," head coach Seth Greenberg said. "He has helped develop some outstanding players, including BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Carmelo Anthony. His experience at Youngstown, combined with his work ethic and energy, make him a perfect fit for our situation."

Odom comes to Blacksburg from American University, where he served two seasons as an assistant under Jeff Jones. At American, Odom was responsible for the coordination of AU's recruiting efforts, as well as assisting in the on-court development of the program's student-athletes.

Before American, Odom spent one season as an assistant coach at UNC Asheville for head coach Eddie Biedenbach. Prior to that, he served two seasons as an assistant coach at Furman under Larry Davis and one season under Seth Greenberg at South Florida as an administrative assistant.

Odom is a 1996 graduate of Hampden-Sydney with a degree in economics. The Tigers' starting point guard for four seasons, and team captain as a senior, Odom helped lead HSC to an 80-30 overall record during his career and twice led teams to the NCAA Division III tournament. He finished his career as Hampden-Sydney's leading three-point shooter and was fourth in assists.

He and his wife, Lucia, have one son, Connor. Odom is the son of Dave Odom, the head coach at South Carolina, and the brother of Lane Odom, assistant coach at Missouri.

"Ryan Odom has a tremendous pedigree," Greenberg said. "He has lived the game and business since childhood. He is an excellent teacher and communicator and has a network of contacts, both nationally and internationally, second to none. He will be an outstanding addition to our program."

"As we develop our staff, we have a mixture of youth and enthusiasm," Greenberg continued. "We have three assistant coaches that are, not only outstanding teachers, but students of the game. They'll bring great passion and enthusiasm to the job each and every day. I couldn't be more pleased with the staff we've assembled to represent Virginia Tech."