Nov. 20, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team announced the signing of three guards to National Letters of Intent, head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson announced during the early signing period that began last Wednesday. Guards Chandice Cronk of Northway, Alaska; Patricia Crumble of Milwaukee, Wis.; and Sara Majors of Aumsville, Ore., will join the Bronco program for the 2004-05 season.

"All three of these players will have an immediate impact in our program," Bento-Jackson said. "This class brings in all of the qualities we were looking for: speed, quickness, toughness, competitiveness and a love for the game. They all fit in very well with our style and we feel they will lift our level of play. We are very excited to add such quality young ladies to our program."

Cronk is a 5-8 shooting guard from Wasilla High School. She averaged 18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, while averaging 45 percent from the field, 38 percent from the three-point line and 90 percent from the charity stripe. Known for carrying a basketball wherever she goes, Cronk attended Northway as a freshman, and poured in 50 points in only her fourth varsity game. She has led the Wasilla Warriors to the Class 4A Championship game the last two seasons.

She chose Santa Clara over UC Irvine, Providence, Creighton and Alaska-Anchorage.

"We are very excited to have Chandice joining the Bronco family," Bento-Jackson added. "She has an amazing understanding and love of the game. Chandice is a versatile player who will be able to play any of the perimeter positions for us. She is the complete package as she has the ability to score and is also a tough defender. She will be a terrific addition to our program."

Majors, a 5-9 guard of Aumsville, Ore., captained her Cascade High School team as a junior was named the Capitol Conference Player of the Year and the Region Player of the Year, while earning first team State All-Tournament honors. She averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.8 steals and 3 assists per game last season.

She decided on Santa Clara over Weber State, Eastern Washington and San Francisco.

"Sara is going to fit in very well with our running and pressure style of play," Bento-Jackson described. "She is athletic, a scrappy defender and a tough competitor. She can shoot the three and penetrate strong to the basket. Sara will also bring speed and quickness, which will be a threat in our transition game."

Crumble is a 5-9 point guard from Milwaukee-Vincent High School. She averaged 14 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds per game last season while leading her team to a 19-5 record. She is a second team All-Milwaukee City-Gold Conference selection, and earned recognition playing in the AAU Junior Olympics during the summer.

She selected Santa Clara over Wisconsin, Indiana State, Drake and Minnesota.

"We are thrilled to add such a quality player in Patricia," Bento-Jackson added. "There is no question she will make an immediate impact. She could play any of the perimeter positions for us, however, we will mainly be looking for her to contribute at the point guard position. She pushes the ball extremely well and has a tremendous feel for the game. She has the ability to both be a playmaker and also to score herself with her aggressive style. She brings athleticism, speed, and quickness, which go hand in hand with our style of play."

The Broncos will open the regular season at home against 2003 NCAA Tournament participant UW-Green Bay on Sunday at 2 p.m. Bento-Jackson will then take her squad to Stockton for a Tuesday, November 25 game at Pacific, and then return home for a Friday, November 28 contest vs. 11th-ranked Georgia.

Bronco Signees