2023-24: Ciani Byrom enters her first season as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach.
Prior to Pfeiffer: Byrom was the Assistant coach at Atkins HS for the 2022-23 season. For the 2021-22 season, she volunteered her time at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, her alma mater. Byrom has experience in NCAA compliance and rulings after working as a Graduate Student at the NCAA Compliance Office for the 2020-21 season. She also has high school coaching experience from her time at West Forsyth under WBB Pfeiffer University Hall of Famer, Brittany Cox-Hudson. The team finished with a 15-11 record, earning the 3rd place spot in conference (7-3).
College Career: In 2016, Byrom was named the team's Most Valuable Player. In this first season, she received numerous weekly honors from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and College Sports Madness. Byrom also made the All-MEAC Rookie Team and was named to the 2016 FAU Holiday All-Tournament Team and led the squad in scoring (14.6 PPG) and assists (4.5 APG) before suffering a season-ending injury.
The following season, Byrom started 19 of 20 games, returning from a serious knee injury in 2016. She was named the team’s Most Improved Player leading the team in scoring. Earned First-Team All-MEAC and was selected as a BOXTOROW Second-Team All-American.
As a senior, fully recovered from a knee injury that significantly affected both her sophomore and junior seasons. Helped lead the team to a 17-win campaign matching the program record for victories in a single season. No. 5 in all-time scoring, No. 2 in all-time assists No. 2 in assists per game No. 7 in points per game with 13.3, No. 5 in free throws made, No. 7 in made field goals and No. 7 in 3-pointers made. Was Hawks Student Athlete Advisory Committee President and MEAC SAAC Secretary. Named Female Student Athlete of the Year at the Harry's Awards. Also honored as Female Citizen Athlete of the Year. Was the team's Most Valuable Player as well. Made MEAC Commissioners' All-Academic Team ...
Highschool Career: Played for Phoenix under former NBA and Wake Forest stand out Delaney Rudd in the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) in Greensboro, North Carolina. A four-time all-star selection (2011-14). Won a state title in four consecutive seasons (2010-2014). Guided her squad to the 2015 National Championship while being named Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Education:
- 2015 New Hope Christian Academy- Cum Laude
- 2019 B.S. Criminal Justice - University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- 2022 M.S. Criminology- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
