Wandyes named to Ponaganset H.S. HoF

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Highlighting a group of former student-athletes and administrators responsible for the success of the Ponaganset (R.I.) High School athletic program, Bryant University Associate Athletic Director Beth Wandyes was named to the school’s first-ever Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month.

Wandyes became the first female student-athlete in Ponaganset history to achieve All-League and All-State honors in three sports.  She also was tabbed as a captain in basketball, cross-country and volleyball, and scored over 1,000 points in her illustrious basketball career in just three seasons on the court.

During her four years, Wandyes was guided by head coaches Eunice Hindley in cross-country, Tony Seoane in volleyball and Paul Shawver in basketball.  Her impact on all teams was immediate, as the girl’s basketball squad fell just short of state championships in her first two seasons.

After suffering a major knee injury prior to her junior year, Wandyes was forced to sit out a season, but despite that setback, was still able to reach the 1,000-point plateau in February of her final season with the Chieftains.  She finished her career averaging 16 points per game, and was a hound on the defensive end of the ball as well. 

When she graduated in June of 1992, she received the school's Brian Fell Memorial Scholarship for her academic and athletic accomplishments.

Following her outstanding high school career, Wandyes moved on to Bryant University, joining the team for the start of the 1992 season under current head coach Mary Burke.  She served as captain of the squad during her junior and senior seasons, and totaled over 1,000 points during her career with the Bulldogs.  After receiving her degree, she returned to her college alma mater initially as a part-time assistant coach to Burke, serving that post from 1997-2001.

During her tenure as an assistant, Wandyes also managed and oversaw Bryant’s Club Sports Program. She also managed to create and implement an alumni database for the athletic department.

Wandyes was inducted into the Bryant Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. She currently holds the all-time record for steals in a game, season and career. She is one of only 19 Bryant women’s basketball players to tally more than 1,000 career points.

Now in her fourth year serving as Bryant’s Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Wandyes earned her Masters in Sports Leadership from Duquesne University in May, 2011.  She and her husband, Ryan, have two daughters, Kelsie and Cailyn.