Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has selected Chad Lavin of South Dakota as the 2008 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Coach of the Year. This year marks the 26^th year that this accolade has been presented, which has been selected by the WBCA since 1983. 

“I am delighted to name Chad the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National NCAA Division II Coach of the Year,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “His contributions to the game, his team and his institution are outstanding.”

Lavin directed the Coyotes to a 31-1 record en route to their first ever North Central Regional title and first ever appearance in the Elite Eight in 2008. South Dakota cruised through the conference regular season becoming just the sixth team in NCC history to finish with an unblemished record.

Prior to the start of the conference tournament, Lavin received his fourth NCC Coach of the Year nod. He currently owns an overall record of 271-139 at South Dakota. Over the past 14 seasons, Lavin has led the Coyotes to six NCC titles, seven national playoff appearances and six 20-win seasons.

After 26 years of coaching, Lavin will retire at the conclusion of this season.

"RUSSELL ATHLETIC is proud to support the winners of the WBCA Coach of the Year Awards.  Just like these individuals, for those who have what it takes on the inside, RUSSELL has what it takes on the outside,” said Chris Passarell, vice president of marketing, RUSSELL ATHLETIC.

Lavin is one of six RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coaches of the Year selected, which also names winners for each of the other four WBCA collegiate divisions (NCAA Divisions I and III, NAIA and JC/CC) as well as High School.

The winner is selected through a two-level process. The first level is by region, in which coaches from each WBCA geographical region vote for their respective top coach. Lavin, having received the most votes in WBCA Region 7, advanced as a finalist to the national level of the selection process along with the other seven Regional Coaches of the Year in NCAA Division II.

The WBCA would also like to recognize the following regional Division II Coaches of the Year:

Lavin and the national winners from the other five divisions will be honored at the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year Luncheon presented by AstraZeneca on Monday, April 7, 2008, at Noon (ET) in the Marriott Waterside’s Grand Ballroom. The luncheon is part of the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Tampa Bay, Fla.

About RUSSELL ATHLETIC
For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic has been designing and producing the most innovative, most comfortable apparel to help athletes at all levels perform their best. From the youth practice fields, to premier collegiate teams, to the most respected professional arenas, whenever you see athletes and teams who demand the highest quality, exceptional durability, and extreme comfort, you'll find Russell Athletic.

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the WBCA 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.