CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY’S DREW OLSON NAMED 2018 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS/WBCA NATIONAL NAIA COACH OF THE YEAR

ATLANTA (March 13, 2018) — Drew Olson of Concordia University (Nebraska) has been named the 2018 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today.

Olson will be presented the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the legendary University of Tennessee coach, during the 2018 WBCA Convention, which will be held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Columbus, Ohio.

"The WBCA is proud to name Drew Olson as the 2018 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year," said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the WBCA. "Olson was selected as the winner by his peers after leading his team to an exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example that can be seen in his student-athletes, institution and community.”

Olson has led Concordia to a 35-1 record and a second-straight trip to the NAIA Division II final four this season. The Bulldogs beat then-No. 1 St. Xavier, No. 4 Ozarks and multiple other ranked teams under Olson this season. They are currently ranked No. 2 after winning the Great Plains Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles for the second year in a row.

"The United States Marine Corps proudly recognizes Concordia University’s Drew Olson for his contributions and leadership to the Bulldogs and women’s basketball," said Lieutenant Colonel John Caldwell, National Director, Marketing and Communication, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.  "Coach Olson exemplifies the willingness to engage and determination to win of all Marines."

The United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year is selected by a committee of coaches from among regional coaches of the year who are nominated and selected by their peers. This year’s United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA Regional Coaches of the Year are:

·         Kirsten Moore, Westmont College

·         Darrick Matthews, University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma

·         Jessie Biggs, Indiana Institute of Technology

·         Jeff Nickel, Shawnee State University

·         Kyle Bent, Martin Methodist College

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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