Bates comes to Cornell after spending the last two years as a graduate assistant coach at Texas Christian University. While at TCU, she organized and executed technical training sessions, aided in scheduling and travel planning and facilitated the recruitment of student-athletes.

A native of Colleyville, Texas, Bates was also head soccer coach and athletic trainer with Image Soccer Club and Challenge Soccer Club in Arlington, Texas. She also served as an assistant coach at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz., from 1994-95.

Bates was a three-year member of the women's soccer program at Arizona, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology in 1996. She is the only Arizona player to earn All-Pac-10 honors twice, being named to the second team in 1995 and 1996. A redshirt as a sophomore, Bates scored 18 goals and added seven assists for 43 points in her final two seasons. She holds five school records, including points in a season (27) and goals in a season (11).

Bates, who played one year at the University of Washington before transferring to Arizona, ranks second on the Wildcats' all-time list for goals scored (18), points (43) and game-winning goals (3). She received her master of science degree in kinesiology in 1999 from Texas Christian.

A member of the United States National Team pool from 1997-99, Bates was a member of the Texas Regional team for three years while also playing for the Texas Heat of the United States Women's Indoor Soccer League in 1999.

Bates holds her B Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation and is a member of the National Soccer Coaching Association of America.