PHILADELPHIA — Head coach Dan Ireland completed his track and field coaching staff earlier this week with the hiring of Stephanie Orji, who will work primarily with the sprinters and jumpers.

“I'm very excited for the opportunity to instill knowledge and make a difference here at La Salle,” said Orji.  “It will be a very rewarding experience for me.”

Orji was one of five winners of the 2010 John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship.  Orji, a standout in women's basketball and track and field, was the only winner who competed at the NCAA Division II level.

"We are very excited about the addition of Stephanie Orji to the La Salle Track and Field coaching staff," said head coach Dan Ireland.  "When we began the search for a new sprints, jumps, and throws coach I was determined to find a coach that would not only bring good coaching but also a high level of energy and dedication to the job. I believe that we have found all of those qualities in Coach Orji."

The Philadelphia native graduated in the spring of 2010 from nearby Cheyney University with a 3.8 grade point average while majoring in recreation and leisure management. 

In 2009, she qualified for the NCAA II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the triple jump, becoming the first female in Cheyney track and field history to earn a trip to the national championships.  In 2010 she again won the event at the PSAC Championships and again qualified for the national championships, finishing 12th overall.  Orji is the school record hold in both the triple and high jumps.

Orji and the rest of the La Salle track program have already begun preparations for the indoor season which will begin shortly after Thanksgiving.