ASHLAND, Va. – Cheridan Hatfield and Deja Middleton have been named to the Randolph-Macon Women's Basketball coaching staff as assistant coaches.

"I am grateful Cheridan is returning to the program as an assistant coach. For five years, she has given everything to this program as a player and she is more than ready to do it as a coach. The program will benefit greatly from someone with her IQ, experience, and servant leadership for R-MC and the game."

Hatfield returns to the Yellow Jackets where she was a part of the women's basketball team for the past five years. Cheridan was a four year starter for the Lemon and Black and was a key part for RMC's success on the court. Hatfield finished her career with 732 points, 413 rebounds, 356 assists and recorded 166 blocks and 14 blocks as a guard.   

During her playing career, Hatfield helped lead RMC to a 2020 ODAC Championship win  over Guilford and a first round NCAA tournament win over Transylvania. She was named to the All-ODAC Third Team in 2023, she was also on the ODAC All-Academic Team four times and Academic All-District Team in 2023. Hatfield recently graduated from Randolph-Macon in 2023. 

Middleton comes to Randolph-Macon from nearby Thomas Dale High School, where she served as the assistant coach for the women's basketball varsity team and led the junior varsity team this past season. Deja helped lead the varsity team to a 24-3 overall record, a division and regional championship and a Virginia final four appearance. The junior varsity team also posted an undefeated 12-0 record under the guidance of Middleton. 

"Coach Deja is a great addition to our coaching staff. Her professional and college playing experience will significantly impact the program. Her personality and commitment to the overall student-athlete shined through in the interview process. We are excited for her to become a Yellow Jacket!" said head coach Lindsey Burke.

Middleton has a vast amount of experience in youth basketball as a skills trainer. She was the head coach for the North Gold Coast Seahawks under 14 year old team in 2021-22. Deja also found a niche helping out athletes from the ages of 6-17 for Ricardo Marsh Training and the Knox Basketball Association from. She also coached for Slovanka MB in Prague for ages 14-17 all from 2016-2019.

Deja also played professionally for five years following her collegiate career overseas in Fiba for multiple leagues in different countries. Middleton played in multiple top leagues in Turkey with the KBSL, Turkish Cup and Euro Cup. She was awarded the 2016 defensive player of the year in the TKBL. She found success in the ZBL in the Czech Republic and with the BIG South league in Brisbane, Australia in 2018. 

Middleton played her collegiate career at Fayetteville State University, a division II institution. She was the CIAA conference defensive player of the year in 2010, 2014 and 2015. These accolades all were included with helping the Broncos win a conference title in 2010. Deja was inducted into FSU's sports hall of fame in 2019. 
   
She graduated from FSU with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies and a concentration in Business and Communication in 2016.