Eastern Illinois University Athletics

The 6-foot-5 Timmons naturally coaches the EIU post players. She also serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

 

She came to EIU as Quacy Barnes but changed her name in September 2007 when she wed Desmond Timmons in Michigan. Desmond currently works for KBR, organizing and maintaining recreational centers for U.S. Military troops based overseas.

 

“Adding Quacy to our staff was simply a home run,” Sallee says. “She is a true professional and the expertise she brought to our post play and recruiting efforts has proved to be invaluable. Quacy is a perfect fit for our program and I look forward to her and her son, TJ, being a part of our EIU family for a long time.”

 

During her tenure at EIU, Timmons helped forward Rachel Galligan, a 2009 graduate, develop from the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year into a three-time First Team All-OVC performer. Galligan broke EIU single-season and all-time scoring records as a senior after leading the OVC in scoring in 2008.

 

Maggie Kloak also emerged as one of the top post players in the league the last two seasons. She enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2008, carrying the Panthers offensively in November and December while Galligan was injured, scoring in double-figures in six straight games.

 

Other notable achievements by EIU post players have come from Marie Baker and Julie Lipperd. Baker scored nine straight points in a two-minute span late in the first half of a December 2007 win against Tennessee State. A year earlier in a victory against Eastern Kentucky, Lipperd tied the program single-game field goal percentage record by connecting on all five of her attempts. Lipperd’s offensive contributions helped EIU withstand a furious EKU run and led to a 21-point counter punch.

 

The Indiana graduate became the first Hoosier selected in the WNBA draft when she was picked 22nd overall by the Sacramento Monarchs in 1998. She also suited up for the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury during her WNBA career and played professionally in China, Israel, Italy, South Korea and Turkey as well.

 

In 2000 she led the Storm in blocked shots – averaging more than a block per game – while starting 23 of the squad’s 32 contests. She contributed a career-high 6.7 points per game that season.

 

A two-time All-Big Ten selection as an upperclassman, including First Team honors as a senior in 1998, Timmons finished her career as IU’s all-time leader in blocked shots (269). She also ranks among the Hoosiers’ career Top 10 in points, field goal percentage, free throws made and rebounds.

 

As a junior, Timmons blocked an IU record 95 shots, including a single-game high 10 in a win over Youngstown State. A year later she was named to the WNIT All-Tournament Team after leading the Hoosiers to a berth in the postseason semifinals.

 

Following the completion of her professional playing career, Timmons returned to her alma mater in 2003 and spent two years as an assistant coach.

 

A native of Benton Harbor, Mich., Timmons is the mother of a son, TJ, who continues to develop into an impressive young basketball player.

She and Desmond also welcomed their first child, a girl, into their family in January 2009. They named her Taryn.