July 27, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Wednesday, July 27, 2005) Women's gymnastics head coach Tom Farden announced the resignation of Andreé Pickens as his assistant coach. Pickens leaves the program after one year to pursue her dream of making the USA women's pole vault team and to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Pickens, a 14-time NCAA All-American as a gymnast while at Alabama, is currently training on the campus of Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She's currently training with some of the top pole vaulters in the country under the tutelage of the best pole vaulting coaches the USA has to offer.

Pickens began her training while she was coaching the Redhawks the past season. She was a common attendee of the Student Recreation Center using the indoor pole vault pit as well as working out in the weight room.

"We will truly miss Andreé this coming season," said Farden. "But she wanted to pursue her dream and I have no doubt she will see those dreams realized knowing her as a competitor and her work ethic to achieve what she sets her mind and body out to accomplish."

Pickens was a major factor in Farden bringing in his current recruiting class, a class that he considers one of his best. Pickens also helped the current gymnasts in bringing out the best in themselves as the team finished strong despite a season that was marred by injuries.

"It was a great experience for me at Southeast and I'm honored to be given a chance to coach such a wonderful group of girls and to learn from Tom (Farden)," said Pickens. "I can't thank SEMO enough for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to coach at the D-I level. I want to again thank Don Kaverman, Cindy Gannon and Coach Farden for the chance of a lifetime and the understanding for supporting me with yet another opportunity of a lifetime as I strive to become an Olympian."

The search for a new assistant coach is already underway.