ATLANTA (March 16, 2020) — Bo Overton of Oklahoma City University has been named the 2020 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
Overton will be presented with the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA National Coach of the Year in each of the WBCA’s six membership divisions.
“The WBCA is proud to announce Bo Overton as the 2020 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. “We also congratulate the other coaches who were selected by their peers as finalists for this prestigious award. Bo was selected as the winner by his peers after leading his team to this year’s exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example as he serves his student-athletes, school and community.”
Overton has been the head coach at Oklahoma City since 2015. The Stars finished the current season with a 30-2 overall record and a fourth-straight Sooner Athletic Conference regular season title. Overton also guided Oklahoma City to win two SAC Tournament titles (2017, 2018) and one NAIA Division I title (2017).
“The United States Marine Corps proudly recognizes Bo Overton for his leadership with the Stars and his commitment to women’s basketball,” said Lieutenant Colonel Christian Devine, national director, marketing and communications, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “The hard work and dedication needed to achieve this recognition from his peers embodies the fighting spirit of all Marines.”
The United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year is selected by a committee of coaches. This year’s finalists were:
|
NAME |
SCHOOL |
|
Chad Meadors |
Northwest Christian University |
|
Ryan Showman |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
|
Bo Overton |
Oklahoma City University |
|
Katie Gearlds |
Marian University |
|
Ginger Colvin |
Campbellsville University |
|
Chris Nelson |
Bethel University (TN) |
Visit www.wbca.org/recognize/ to see a list of past recipients.
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
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