Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has selected Lin Laursen of Central Arizona College as the 2008 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Junior College/Community College (JC/CC) Coach of the Year. This year marks the 26th year this accolade has been presented, which has been selected by the WBCA since 1983.

"On behalf of the WBCA and Lin's peers, I am proud to present her with the 2008 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National JC/CC Coach of the Year Award," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "She has stood above the rest and has proven to be a great leader of women's basketball."

Laursen, who has announced she will retire at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, has coached in over 1,100 games for Central Arizona and has an incredible .870 winning percentage (968-144). She will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in June.

Throughout her 34 seasons, she has led the Lady Vaqueras to three National Junior College Athletic Association Division I National Championships (1989, 98, 2005), 10 Final Four appearances (1988-90, 97-99, 2004-07) and 29 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Titles including 20 straight ACCAC titles from 1981-2001. She has coached 34 all-Americans and sent nearly 140 players to four-year programs throughout the country.

Laursen received the inaugural RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National JC/CC Coach of the Year in 1983 and again in 2005.

"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.

Laursen 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, II, III, and NAIA) as well as High School. The JC/CC RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year Committee decided in 2005-06 that they would solicit additional nominations from the committee in order to increase the number of nominations received for this award. They will also eliminate regional winners effective 2006 per a WBCA motion.

Laursen 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.