Lubbock Christian's Steve Gomez named 2016 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year

Lubbock Christian's Steve Gomez named 2016 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year

ATLANTA (March 21, 2016) – Steve Gomez, head coach at Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas, is the recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the 2016 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today. This marks the 34th year since 1983 that the WBCA has presented this honor to a NCAA Division II head coach.

"The WBCA is proud to name Steve as the 2016 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "Steve was selected as the winner by his peers after leading his/her team to an exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example that can be seen in his student-athletes, institution, and community.”

Gomez, currently in his 13th season at Lubbock Christian, has guided the top-ranked Lady Chaparrals to a flawless 32-0 record, posting the program’s first unbeaten regular-season record (26-0). Lubbock Christian also won its first Heartland Conference Tournament title.

Gomez was named the Heartland Conference Coach of the Year for the first time, while earning his third overall Coach of the Year honor. On Feb. 6, Gomez earned his 300th win against Newman University.

Since taking over at Lubbock Christian, Gomez has accumulated a 312-104 collegiate coaching record. The Lady Chaparrals went to NCAA Division II at the start of 2013-14 season and have a remarkable record of 78-8 since the transition.

Gomez helped the Lady Chaps win their first region title by knocking off West Texas A&M in the South Central Region to advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight where they face Florida Southern College on March 22.

"The Marine Corps continues to enjoy our long and successful partnership with the WBCA.  For us, one of the major highlights of the relationship is to annually recognize the organization's outstanding coaches," said Lieutenant Colonel Brian Proctor, Assistant Chief of Staff Diversity, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.  "Each of these fine individuals, chosen by their peers to receive this well-deserved honor, exemplifies the Marine Corps leadership values of honor, courage and commitment."

The United States Marine Corps and the WBCA present the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the legendary University of Tennessee coach, to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA National Coach of the Year annually in each of the six WBCA membership divisions (NCAA Divisions I, II and III; NAIA; junior/community college and high school).

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, and were announced yesterday via social media.  They are:

       • Region 1 – Kristen Hutchison, American International College
       • Region 2 – AnnMarie Gilbert, Virginia Union University
       • Region 3 – Corey Fox, Limestone College
       • Region 4 – Kristen Gillespie, Lewis University
       • Region 5 – Mark Campbell, Union University
       • Region 6 – Steve Gomez, Lubbock Christian University
       • Region 7 – Scott Ballard, Winona State University
       • Region 8 – Ryan McCarthy, University of Alaska-Anchorage

###

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

-WBCA-