ATLANTA (March 17, 2017) — Amherst College head coach G.P. Gromacki is the 2017 United States Marine Corps/WBCA National NCAA Division III Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
Gromacki 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, during the 2017 WBCA Convention, which will be held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Dallas.
"The WBCA is proud to name G.P. Gromacki as the 2017 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year," said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the WBCA. "G.P. 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.”
Gromacki paced Amherst to a 24-0 regular season finish. The squad has gone on to remain undefeated throughout the NCAA Division III Championship Sectional Final —gaining entrance into its second-consecutive NCAA Final Four®. This marks the Purple and White’s seventh overall Final Four appearance.
In 2011, Gromacki led Amherst to its first NCAA National Championship. He was named WBCA National Coach of the Year in 2010, and he has earned six New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships.
“The Marine Corps proudly recognizes G.P. Gromacki for his exemplary leadership and dedication to the young women of the Amherst College Purple and White,” said Lieutenant Colonel Brian Proctor, assistant chief of staff, diversity, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “Gromacki demonstrates the core values upheld by those who hold the title Marine. The Marine Corps is honored to celebrate his fighting spirit, determination and excellence both as coach and mentor of the next generation of leaders.”
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. They are:
- Region 1 - G.P. Gromacki, Amherst College
- Region 2 - Scott Hemer, State University College-Geneseo
- Region 3 - Karin Harvey, Montclair State University
- Region 4 - Michael Miller, Messiah College
- Region 5 - Polly Thomason, University of Texas-Dallas
- Region 6 - Michele Durand, Ohio Northern University
- Region 7 - Nancy Fahey, Washington University
- Region 8 - Loree Payne, University of Puget Sound
In addition to the regional winners, the following NCAA Division III Final Four coaches are also included as at-large finalists.
At-large finalist:
- Carla Berube, Tufts University
- Ruth Sinn, St. Thomas (MN)
- William Broderick, Christopher Newport 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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