List of 10 Includes Six Coaches Looking for their First Win of the Award
ATLANTA (March 12, 2019) – In search of a tournament win, the coaches of the nation’s top four women’s college basketball teams are also seeking another win this season—the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award. The contenders for the award became clearer today with the announcement of the semifinalists by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey, who won the award in 2012, and the reigning winner, Mississippi State head coach Vic Schaefer, are each looking for their second win, and Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw looks to attain her fourth award after winning in 2001, 2013 and 2014. Meanwhile, semifinalist Geno Auriemma (UConn) holds the record for most wins by a single candidate in the history of the Naismith Awards with nine wins of the Women’s Coach of the Year honor.
The field rounds out with six additional semifinalists who seek to claim their first Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year Award—Lisa Bluder (Iowa), Amanda Butler (Clemson), Kelly Graves (Oregon), Carolyn Kieger (Marquette), Wes Moore (North Carolina State) and Jeff Walz (Louisville). Out of the six, only Bluder would be the second women’s coach from her college to win the award, following C. Vivian Stringer, who won in 1993.
“The competition for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award starts now as we see which coaches can withstand the tough matchups ahead,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “We’re looking forward to watching these candidates lead and push their teams to excel in the tournament.”
The list will be narrowed to four finalists on March 21, and fans will be able to support their favorite women’s college coach by visiting naismithtrophy.com/vote between March 22-April 3, to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year will be announced on April 6, and the winner will be honored at their school at a later date.
“Werner is once again thrilled to be presenting the semifinalists for the Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year,” said Stacy Gardella, vice president of brand marketing at WernerCo. “These coaches know how to promote teamwork and dedication in the talented players they coach.”
Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year 2019 Semifinalists
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | SCHOOL | CONFERENCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geno | Auriemma | UConn | AAC |
| Lisa | Bluder | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Amanda | Butler | Clemson | ACC |
| Kelly | Graves | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Carolyn | Kieger | Marquette | BIG EAST |
| Muffet | McGraw | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Wes | Moore | North Carolina State | ACC |
| Kim | Mulkey | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Vic | Schaefer | Mississippi State | SEC |
| Jeff | Walz | Louisville | ACC |
The four finalists will be chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners, all of whom base their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2018-19 college basketball season. The vote will be tabulated and certified by Aprio, a premier, CPA-led business advisory firm.
For more information, visit www.naismithtrophy.com.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Bona, Citizen Watch Company, Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder.
ABOUT WERNER LADDER COMPANY
Werner, the official ladder of NCAA® March Madness® and the world leader in ladders offers a complete line of climbing products designed for working at heights. The portfolio includes ladders, attic ladders, scaffolding, pump jacks, stages, planks, stepstools, accessories and fall protection equipment including harnesses, lanyards, anchors and compliance kits. From ladders to fall protection, WERNER provides a full line of climbing equipment that’s engineered to give you maximum safety, durability and productivity at every height. All Werner products meet or exceed applicable international safety standards. For more information, visit www.wernerladder.com.
###
Media Contact:
Traci Messier
Jackson Spalding for the Atlanta Tipoff Club
404-214-3596