Presnell Named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year
March 28, 2003

ATLANTA (Mar. 28) -- Gordy Presnell, who guided Seattle Pacific University to an unbeaten regular season, a record 29 wins and a No. 1 national ranking, has been named 2003 Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association coach of the year for NCAA Division II.

Presnell, the 21st recipient of the national award, was earlier voted both coach of the year in the West Region and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. He will be formally presented the award April 7 at the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women's Final Four in Atlanta.

"This is certainly an honor but it's an award to be shared with the team and the university," said Presnell. "Without a university to represent, and without such quality players and students, we could not have achieved so much this past season."

Under Presnell, the Falcons won all 27 regular-season games to claim the GNAC title, the top seed in the NCAA West Regional tournament and the top spot in the WBCA coaches poll for five consecutive weeks. SPU advanced to the regional championship game before suffering its first loss, 85-80 to Cal State Bakersfield.

The 29 victories was a new record at Seattle Pacific.

Presnell has averaged 21 wins during his 16 years as head coach, and now owns a mark of 336-123. This was his team's seventh straight trip to the Div. II tournament and the fourth conference crown in seven years.

Presnell becomes the fourth SPU coach to earn a national coach of the year accolade, joining Cliff McCrath (men's soccer, 1978), Laurel Tindall (women's gymnastics, 1986, 1992 and 1997) and Dr. Ken Foreman (women's track & field, 2000).