BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo head women's basketball coach Cheryl Dozier has announced the signing of 6'2" post player Lauren Burd (York, PA/Central York) to a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career at UB in the fall. Burd joins guards Brooke Meunier (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) and Hollie Cook (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads), both early signees from November, as a member of Buffalo's latest recruiting class that will join the Bulls for the 2002-03 season.

Burd was a three-year starter and a two-year captain at Central York High School where she showed her ability to play on both ends of the floor by averaging a double-double in points and rebounds in both her junior and senior seasons. Burd averaged 10 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots per game this past season on her way to earning Division I York All-County honors. She was also selected to participate in the Pennsylvania Roundball Classic, playing for the Keystone All-Stars, and she was named to various All-Tournament Teams during her high school career, including earning Most Valuable Player honors at the Penn Manor Tournament in 2001. Burd has also competed in the Keystone State Olympics as a member of the Capital Area team and for the AAU York Unity Elite team.

Burd chose to play basketball at UB over St. Peter's, Bucknell and Drexel. An excellent athlete, she was also recruited to play volleyball at the Division I level after leading the Mid-Pennsylvania area in blocks and participating in the 2001 Junior National Volleyball Championships in Salt Lake City, UT.

"The biggest thing Lauren will bring to our team is her ability to rebound the basketball," said Dozier. "Averaging 13 rebounds a game in high school is exciting to us as a program, and she'll give us added depth on the glass as well as versatility in the post. She's tall and athletic and runs the floor well and can also block shots. Like our other two signees, she has a tremendous work ethic. Her best basketball is ahead of her, and we're looking forward to developing her potential. We're excited to have her as an addition to this year's recruiting class and to our already strong lineup of post players."