Berry Native Tapped To Lead Stillman Volleyball Program

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College Director of Athletics Terrance Whittle on Monday announced that Fayette County native Theresa Berry-Franks has been hired as the Tigers' next women's volleyball head coach.

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Berry-Franks is credited with reinstating the Bevill State Community College women's volleyball program as head coach from 2016-2020.

She will now take the place of interim head coach Emiley Madison, who led Stillman's volleyball program from October 2022-December 2023.

"We are excited to have Theresa Franks as our head volleyball coach," Whittle said. "Her experience as a former player, coach and recruiter in the NAIA will serve our program well as we continue to build a solid foundation for the future. I have been equally impressed with her ability to build a program from the ground level. Her energy, enthusiasm and commitment to academic excellence and player accountability will serve our young woman well. Welcome to the Tiger Family, Coach Franks.”

A 2007 graduate of Faulkner University with a bachelor's of science in biology, Berry-Franks would go on to receive a master's of science in human and environmental sciences from the University of Alabama.

“This is such an exciting time to be joining the Stillman College family," she said. "I am thankful for the foundation that Coach Penefield and Coach Madison built while bringing volleyball back, and now I have the opportunity to grow from there. Thank you to President Yoland Page and Athletic Director Terrance Whittle for giving me a chance to enhance the growth of these young student-athletes both on and off the county while returning Stillman College volleyball to a competitive force in the conference. My husband, Jerome Franks, a Stillman alumnus, son JT, and I are looking forward to being a part of the Stillman family, rallying the community around the volleyball program and sharing our love and excitement for volleyball to everyone that watches the team at Stillman play."

Originally from Berry and a member of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame, she began her coaching career as a graduate assistant and then full-time assistant coach at Faulkner University before Bevill State reinstated its volleyball program in Fayette in 2017.

During her first three seasons at Bevill, Berry-Franks led the program to a 15-56 record and produced its first Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) All-Conference student-athlete since the program's return.

During her playing days as an outside hitter, defensive specialist and setter, Berry-Franks was recognized for her work in the classroom when she was selected to the ACCC All-Alabama Academic Team.

She was also named an NAIA Scholar Athlete and a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Scholar Athlete.

In 2004, Berry-Franks was awarded NJCAA Student Athlete of the Year.

Berry-Franks lives in Tuscaloosa with her husband Jerome, and son, JT.

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