Harris Hired as Director of Operations

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July 1, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah head women's basketball coach Elaine Elliott has announced the hiring of Velaida Harris as Director of Operations.

Harris comes to Utah from the University of Oregon, where she was an assistant coach last season (2008-09). She was the Director of Basketball Operations the year before that (2007-08).

"Velaida will be a wonderful addition to our staff," Elliott said. "She brings a wealth of experience and fits our personality and philosophy. She will certainly be an integral part of the continued growth of our program."

Prior to Oregon, Velaida spent three years as the Assistant Director of Youth Sports for the Lake Oswego School District, overseeing all youth sport programs in the 13 school district and coordinating the high school club sports. Harris was also the head girl's basketball coach at Lake Oswego from 2004-06. She directed the program to two state playoff berths, including a fourth-place finish at the OSAA State Championships during the 2005-06 season. In her two years at Lake Oswego, Harris complied a 40-15 (.727) record. She also coordinated camps, clinics, and fundraising activities at Lake Oswego High. Harris directed the 32-team Nike-Laker Interstate Shootout tournament, which drew teams throughout the west coast.

Harris was also the head coach at Lincoln Senior High School from 1997-04, leading the program to six state playoff berths, three trips to the state championship tournament and three league titles, en route to a 123-52 (.700) record.

On the AAU circuit, Harris was the Program Director and coach of the Nike sponsored Portland Elite Basketball Organization (PEBO) for eight years, heading the selection and evaluation of players throughout Oregon and SW Washington. An overwhelming 80% of the seniors in her program went on to play college basketball.

Harris served as a coach at the prestigious Nike All-America Camp three times (2000, 2002 and 2004).

Harris has directed various camps and clinic across the country for professional women and NBA players. She was the head assistant coach for the Portland Chinooks, a semi-professional men's basketball team.

Harris played her collegiate ball at Portland State from 1989-1993. She graduated from Portland State with a B.S. in Liberal Studies.

Velaida and her husband Jerry have been married for 14 years. The couple has three children - Christaen (12), Gabrielle (10) and Sierra (8).