Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

"We are pleased to present Dana Ferguson with the WBCA Graduate Assistant of the Year award," said CEO Beth Bass. "On behalf of the WBCA, I want to congratulate Dana and wish her all the best as she continues to build the foundation for a successful coaching career."

"We are proud to support the continuing development of future coaches and to celebrate the spirit of women's basketball," stated Donna Lopiano, Women's Sports Foundation CEO.

Prior to her graduate assistantship with DePauw University, Fergeson put in her time on the court as a player for head coach Kris Huffman. She was part of the winningest class in DePauw history posting an 87-20 record from 1999 to 2003. As a senior, Fergeson received All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) honors after leading her team in scoring and finished second in SCAC Player of the Year voting. During her junior campaign, she led her team in rebounds and helped her team finish third nationally at the NCAA Division III level.

In 2003, Ferguson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in kinesiology and is now in her third season with the Tigers as a coach. Over the last two years, the women have posted a 46-7 record and are ranked nationally this year. Outside of DePauw, Fergeson contributes to the Little Sister Program and helps with basketball clinics for local youth.

Ferguson will be formally presented the award at The WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Sunday, April 2, 2006, at 12:30 p.m. (ET) in the Hynes Convention Center Ballroom in Boston, Mass. The event is part of the WBCA National Convention held in conjunction with the 2006 NCAA® Women's Final Four®. This year the WBCA celebrates it's Silver Anniversary, marking 25 years of existence.

This marks the 16th year the Women's Sports Foundation has recognized a Graduate Assistant of the Year. Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a national charitable educational organization seeking to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The Foundation's Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership Programs are made possible by gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations. For more information, please call the Foundation at (800) 227-3988 or visit WomensSportsFoundation.org .

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 in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.