ATLANTA (March 19, 2020) — Brian Morehouse, head coach at Hope College, has been named the 2020 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
Morehouse 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 Brian Morehouse as the 2020 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III 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. Brian has sustained success for many years. He was selected as the winner by his peers after leading his team to this year’s exceptional season. Brian, a two-time winner of this award, also serves his peers as a member of our WBCA Board of Directors and a member of the committee of coaches who created and manages the NCAA Division III all-star game. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example as he serves his student-athletes, school and community, as well as our coaching family.”
Morehouse receives coach of the year honors for the second time in his coaching career. He first earned the award in 2006, the same year Hope won the NCAA Division III National Championship. This season, Morehouse guided Hope to an undefeated 29-0 record and a No. 1 finish in the NCAA Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Flying Dutch also won both the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association regular season and tournament titles. Since taking over the program in 1996, Morehouse has produced a 609-90 record and led Hope to 15 MIAA championships, 19 NCAA appearances, and one national title.
In January, Morehouse reached the 600-win mark in his 690th game — faster than any basketball coach in NCAA history at any level, women’s or men’s.
“The United States Marine Corps proudly recognizes Brian Morehouse for his leadership with the Flying Dutch 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 NCAA Division III national coach of the year is selected by a committee of coaches.
This year’s finalists were:
|
NAME |
SCHOOL |
|
Bob Amsberry |
Wartburg College |
|
Meg Barber |
New York University |
|
Keri Carollo |
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater |
|
Michael Miller |
Messiah College |
|
Brian Morehouse |
Hope College |
|
Jill Pace |
Tufts University |
|
Kate Pearson |
Cabrini University |
|
Alex Richey |
Oglethorpe University |
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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