Carol Ross Named Finalist for WBB Coach of Year
Wednesday, February 21, 2001 | Women's Basketball
University of Florida head women's basketball coach Carol Ross was named today as one of 20 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Coach of the Year Award. The announcement was made by Jackie Bradford, Executive Director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
UF men's coach Billy Donovan was named as one of 20 finalists for the Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year award.
"The recognition bestowed upon me is simply a reflection of the players on this year's team," Ross said. "They have faced a great amount of adversity throughout the season and have never given up when times were tough. I'm so proud of how this year's Lady Gator team has battled and become one of the most competitive squads in the country."
Ross has guided the Lady Gators to 21-4 overall record this season, including a 9-3 record in the Southeastern Conference. Florida returned to the top-10 in the national polls and is aiming for the eighth NCAA Championship appearance in the last nine years. Last year Florida posted a 21-13 record and finished runner-up in the WNIT.
Ross, who has a 226-108 career record entering Thursday's game against No. 14 LSU, is already the program's all-time winningest coach. She was honored in 1997 as the WBCA District 9 Coach of the Year and in 1994 as the SEC Coach of the Year. Last summer Ross was presented the 2000 Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award for her work in the community dealing with the disease.
The winners of the Naismith Awards will be honored in Atlanta on April 7, 2001 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
The finalists for the Naismith College Coach of the Year Awards (listed alphabetically) are as follows:
WOMEN
Geno Auriemma, Connecticut
Melanie Balcomb, Xavier
Ceal Barry, Colorado
Leon Barmore, LA Tech
Gary Blair, Utah
Cheryl Burnett, SW Missouri State
Sherri Coale, Oklahoma
Kristy Curry, Purdue
Bill Fennelly, Iowa State
Jim Foster, Vanderbilt
Gail Goestenkors, Duke
Sue Gunter, LSU
Andy Landers, Georgia
Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
Rene Portland, Penn State
Carol Ross, Florida
Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech
Vivian Stringer, Rutgers
Pat Summit, Tennessee
Kay Yow, North Carolina State
The Naismith Awards program, now in its 33rd year, honors the outstanding college basketball coaches in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of excellence in basketball.
UF men's coach Billy Donovan was named as one of 20 finalists for the Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year award.
"The recognition bestowed upon me is simply a reflection of the players on this year's team," Ross said. "They have faced a great amount of adversity throughout the season and have never given up when times were tough. I'm so proud of how this year's Lady Gator team has battled and become one of the most competitive squads in the country."
Ross has guided the Lady Gators to 21-4 overall record this season, including a 9-3 record in the Southeastern Conference. Florida returned to the top-10 in the national polls and is aiming for the eighth NCAA Championship appearance in the last nine years. Last year Florida posted a 21-13 record and finished runner-up in the WNIT.
Ross, who has a 226-108 career record entering Thursday's game against No. 14 LSU, is already the program's all-time winningest coach. She was honored in 1997 as the WBCA District 9 Coach of the Year and in 1994 as the SEC Coach of the Year. Last summer Ross was presented the 2000 Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award for her work in the community dealing with the disease.
The winners of the Naismith Awards will be honored in Atlanta on April 7, 2001 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
The finalists for the Naismith College Coach of the Year Awards (listed alphabetically) are as follows:
WOMEN
Geno Auriemma, Connecticut
Melanie Balcomb, Xavier
Ceal Barry, Colorado
Leon Barmore, LA Tech
Gary Blair, Utah
Cheryl Burnett, SW Missouri State
Sherri Coale, Oklahoma
Kristy Curry, Purdue
Bill Fennelly, Iowa State
Jim Foster, Vanderbilt
Gail Goestenkors, Duke
Sue Gunter, LSU
Andy Landers, Georgia
Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
Rene Portland, Penn State
Carol Ross, Florida
Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech
Vivian Stringer, Rutgers
Pat Summit, Tennessee
Kay Yow, North Carolina State
The Naismith Awards program, now in its 33rd year, honors the outstanding college basketball coaches in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of excellence in basketball.
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