ATLANTA - Nancy Fahey, head coach at Washington University in St. Louis, is the 2011 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today. This is the 29th year of this honor, which has been selected by the WBCA since 1983.
"The WBCA is pleased to present Nancy Fahey with the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National NAIA Coach of the Year award," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "Coaches receive lots of awards, but to be chosen for one by your peers has got to be the highest compliment."
Fahey, who has a 595-105 record in 25 years at Washington, is the only coach in NCAA Division III history to win five national championships, including a stretch of four straight crowns from 1998 through 2001. Tonight, Fahey continues pursuit of her sixth national title when the defending national champion Bears (24-5) make their record 10th appearance in the NCAA Division III Women's Final Four in Bloomington, Ill.
Since Fahey's arrival in 1986, Washington has enjoyed its finest 25 seasons. In each of the past 24 years, the Bears have won at least 19 games and have made 23 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. In addition to her 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2010 national championship teams, Washington placed fourth in 1991, and finished second in 1994, 2007 and 2009.
Fahey also was selected NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year by the WBCA in 2000.
Fahey came to Washington from Johnsburg High School in McHenry, Ill., where she guided the Skyhawks to two regional championships, a sectional final and two 20-win seasons. As a player, Fahey was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Wisconsin. She started two years at point guard for the Badgers, and served as captain her senior season. Fahey graduated with honors from Wisconsin in 1981.
"RUSSELL ATHLETIC continues to be committed to women's sports, including a focus to develop the latest innovations for women, specifically in terms of uniforms and apparel," said Gary Barfield, Executive Vice President, RUSSELL ATHLETIC. "Through RUSSELL ATHLETIC'S dedication to women's athletics, we are proud to honor Coach Nancy Fahey. Coach Fahey's accomplishments enable new vision for all student-athletes."
The national coach of the year is selected from a list of finalists composed of the eight regional coaches of the year, who are chosen by vote of their peers in their respective WBCA membership regions. The head coaches of teams that qualify for the NCAA Division III Women's Final Four who are not regional coach of the year selections are automatic at-large nominees for the award.
Receiving RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Regional Division III Coach of the Year honors for 2011 are:
| Region | Coach | Institution | |
| Region 1 | Judith Blinstrub | Babson College | |
| Region 2 | Scott Hemer | State University College at Geneseo | |
| Region 3 | Kevin Cook | Gallaudet University | |
| Region 4 | Mary Beth Spirk | Moravian College | |
| Region 5 | Randy Tuggle | Greensboro College | |
| Region 6 | Brian Neal | Thomas More College | |
| Region 7 | Aaron Roussell | University of Chicago | |
| Region 8 | Randi Peterson | Coe College |
Joining Fahey as at-large nominees by virtue of their teams earning berths in this year's NCAA Division III Women's Final Four were G.P. Gromacki of Amhert College, Carolyn Hunter of Christopher Newport University and Mia Smith of Illinois Wesleyan University.
Fahey, as well as the five other RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year recipients, will be formally recognized during the WBCA Awards Show, which will be heldat 6 p.m. Monday, April 4, in the Indiana Convention Center's Sagamore Ballroom. This event is part of the WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Indianapolis.
About RUSSELL ATHLETIC:
For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic, a division of Russell Brands, LLC, has supplied America's athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college, and professional level. Russell Athletic activewear and college licensed products are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains, and college bookstores. For more information, please visit www.russellathletic.com. Russell Athletic® is a trademark of Russell Brands, LLC. Russell Athletic, Proven on the Field of Play.
About the WBCA:
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For additional information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.
