Last Updated 11-10-09

Ms. Melissa Irvin
Head Coach - Women's Basketball

Coach Irvin begins her 13th year as head coach of the Patriots. Irvin is a native of Laurel County where she lettered four years on the basketball team at Laurel County High School and played on the 1987 Laurel County State Championship team. She was inducted into the Laurel County Hall of Fame in 2001 for her outstanding accomplishments.

Irvin came to Cumberlands after a three-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Rio Grande. Coach Irvin earned her degree from Cumberlands in 1994 in Business Administration and Secondary Education and has also completed her Masters of Education degree from Cumberlands as well.

While attending Cumberlands, she was a four-year letterman for the Patriots. Coach Irvin’s list of accolades includes Cumberlands career records in assists (734 in 124 games) and 3 point shooting percentage (.375 or 153/408) and three years as captain at Cumberlands. Irvin is a member of the Cumberlands 1000 Point Club, the 9th All-Time leading scorer and was a member of the Mid-South All Region Team and KIAC All- Conference Team. In recognition of her outstanding athletic achievements, Cumberlands recognized Irvin by inducting her into the 2007 Athletic Hall of Fame.

Since her debut in 1997 at Cumberlands, Irvin has led the Patriots to nine 20 win seasons and eight National Tournament appearances. In addition, her teams have been ranked among the top ten in the nation. In twelve years, Coach Irvin has coached 18 Mid-South Conference All-Conference recipients, 15 Mid-South Conference Honorable Mention honorees, 22 Mid-South Conference Academic All-Conference students, 1 WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, 10 NAIA Academic All-Americans, 1 NAIA All-American, 1 NAIA All-Tournament Team member, 1 Second Team NAIA All-American, 2 Third Team NAIA All-Americans, and 6 NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans.

Phone: 606.539.4478
Email: melissa.irvin@ucumberlands.edu

Mr. Eddie Mahan
Assistant Coach - Women's Basketball

Coach Eddie Mahan begins his eighth season as a varsity assistant for the women's basketball team. As the top assistant for the program, Mahan has been involved in all areas of the program including recruiting, scouting, on court coaching, and fundraising. When asked about his time here at UC Mahan commented, "I feel blessed to have been apart of such a successful program. I have seen many great teams go through our program including five Mid South Conference Championships and through all that I know the best is still yet to come!

Mahan, a native of Corbin, Kentucky, is a 1997 graduate of Corbin High School. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of the Cumberlands in both histroy and public health while recieving a minor in movement and leisure studies.

Coach Mahan resides in London, KY with his wife Tabatha. Eddie and Tabatha welcomed their first child, Bella Grace on October 21st.

Email: eddie.mahan@ucumberlands.edu

Ms. Lissi Fuller
Graduate Assistant - Women's Basketball

Fuller begins her second year as a member of the Cumberlands coaching staff. A graduate of Mt Vernon High School, Fuller began her Patriot career in 2004.

Having worn number 5 for the Patriot ladies in the point guard position for the past four seasons, Fuller was graduated in May of 2008 with a Bachelor of Science with degrees in Business Administration and Exercise and Sports Science.

While on the Patriot hardwood, Lissi was the 2008 Mid-South Conference Player of the Year and was named a 2008 NAIA Third Team All-American as well. She earned the Mid-South Conference First Team All-Conference award in 2006 and 2007 as well. Showing her leadership was to be remembered; Fuller etched her name in the Patriot record books as she scored over 1,000 career points and became the Second All-Time Career Assist Leader at Cumberlands.

“The women’s basketball program is very respected and has a rich tradition of excellence,” stated Fuller. “Coach Irvin has done an outstanding job with the program which is shown in the Conference Championships and National Tournament appearances.” While assisting with the Women’s Basketball program, Fuller will work on her Master’s degree in Education.

Email: afuller9452@ucumberlands.edu