Missy West Named Finalist for Division III National Coach of the Year
ATLANTA, GA – On Friday evening, Hartwick head women's basketball coach Missy West was announced as one of eight finalists for the 2012 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Division III National Coach of the Year award. This season, West piloted the Hawks to 22 wins and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Judith Blinstrub (Babson), Deena Applebury (Mary Washington), Yvonne Kauffman (Elizabethtown), Wendie Austin-Robinson (Centre), Suzy Venet (Mount Union), Aaron Roussell (Chicago), and Michael Meek (George Fox) join West on the list of finalists.
“This is a great honor and compliment to our coaching staff,” stated West. “All the credit should go to our entire staff and team. Being nominated for Coach of the Year does not happen unless you have a good team that is willing to listen and a good staff that is always willing to give great advice. I am very fortunate.”
West, the 2012 Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year, put Hartwick back on the map thanks to a historic season in 2011-12. Her Hawks' registered a 22-6 overall record and a 15-1 mark in the Empire 8.
The team's 22 wins are the third-highest single-season total in 45 years of Hartwick women's basketball. In addition, the Hawks' 15 Empire 8 wins set the College record for victories in conference play. At one point during the season, Hartwick won 12 straight games, which ranks as the third-longest string in program history.
After guiding the Hawks to a second-place finish in the conference standings and their first appearance in the Empire 8 championship game, West led the Hawks to their eighth NCAA Tournament berth and first since 1999.
“The WBCA congratulates these coaches on being named finalists for this year's Division III Coach of the Year award,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “Each coach was selected by their peers and is deserving of this honor for their terrific seasons. On behalf of the WBCA and its members, I wish all five of these finalists the best of luck at the WBCA Awards Show in Denver.”
“Russell Athletic believes in the 'Power of Team' and no team can be successful without a powerful leader,” said Executive Vice President Gary Barfield. “Russell Athletic is pleased to honor the coaches nominated for Coach of the Year and applaud their successes.”
The winner will be announced during the second annual WBCA Awards Show on Monday, April 2, in Denver. This event will be part of the WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four®.