Grace Christian School Athletic Director Ricky Young earlier this week announced a pivotal change in the Crusader women’s varsity basketball program, naming Danielle Sullivan as the program’s new head coach.
Sullivan brings over a decade of coaching excellence, having led Panther Creek High School’s women’s basketball program since 2013, amassing the most wins of any women’s basketball coach in the school’s history. Under her leadership, Panther Creek won championships in multiple conferences and guided the Catamounts to the 2023 NCHSAA 4A State Championship.
“On behalf of the Grace Christian administration, we are thrilled to welcome Coach Sullivan to the Crusader family,” Young said. “Her knowledge, not only of the game, but of developing young people and pointing them to Jesus, is at the top of our industry. Our Women’s program is already in such a tremendous place thanks to prior coaching and leadership, and I cannot wait to see where Danielle takes us next.”
Throughout her coaching career, Sullivan has been recognized as the Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, Coach of the Year by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association, as well as multiple Coach of the Year honorings by conference opponents and area media outlets for her ability to build and foster winning programs and mentor high-level student athletes. She has coached numerous standout players who went on to compete collegiately, most recently including Madison Jordan (Wake Forest), Olivia Tucker (Campbell University), and Taylor Barner (East Carolina University).
Sullivan holds a master’s degree in education and was an All-conference selection during her playing days at Emory & Henry University in Virginia.
“I am excited to lead a program that competes on a national stage, but most importantly gives me the opportunity to bring our student athletes closer to Jesus Christ, as part of our calling as Christians,” Sullivan said. “There are great people in and around the women’s basketball program, and I look forward to joining them to continue pushing towards the excellence that has become the Grace standard. I believe the next steps in my coaching career have been ordered by God, and I am ready to get to work!”
In correlation to Sullivan’s hiring, previous women’s basketball head coach Andy Woodard will be moving into a training and support role in basketball operations, further utilizing his strong background and success in player development.