ASHLAND, Va. – Head coach Lindsey Burke-Eberhart and Randolph-Macon women's basketball have announced the hiring of Payton Cronen as an assistant coach on staff.

"Payton is going to be a great addition to our staff. Her experience at the DII and DIII levels makes her a well-rounded coach with a very bright future. We are excited to have her on board!," Burke-Eberhart said.  

Cronen hails from Louisville, Kentucky, and played for Assumption High School. She went on to compete for four years at division II Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina on the women's basketball team. She went on to play her final year of collegiate women's basketball at division III Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Cronen's time at Newberry was notable as a member of SAC All-Freshman team in 2020-21, a three-time teammate of the year, served as SAAC President, and was recognized with numerous academic and leadership awards, including the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award and the Billy Douglas Community Service Award. She was also a team captain all four years on campus for the Wolves. 

Cronen's coaching resume includes experience at multiple levels of competition. She has held positions with Wayne Gill Basketball Training, the Indiana Flight AAU program, the Louisville Rockets, and Assumption High School. Additionally, she completed a sport performance internship with the University of Louisville, contributing to strength and conditioning programs for Olympic sport athletes.

Cronen earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Sports Management and Exercise Science from Newberry and completed a minor in Coaching and Business Administration. She is currently working on finishing her masters in sports administration from Wittenberg and plans to graduate in spring 2026.  

Randolph-Macon women's basketball is coming off one of its best seasons in program history with a conference title and a run into the Sweet 16 last season and looks to build on that success with Cronen as part of the coaching staff.