WBCA & RUSSELL ATHLETIC Award National Coaches of the Year At Luncheon

By Julia M. Coleman: SPM FL Writer
Posted Tuesday, April 8, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. – University of Connecticut Head Coach, Geno Auriemma, may have elected to skip the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year Luncheon at the Tampa Marriot Waterside on Monday April 7th, but Lin Laursen, retiring Head Coach of Central Arizona Junior College (CAJC), was more than happy to hold court while accepting her National Junior College/Community College Coach of the Year award.

Auriemma won National Coach of the Year for Division I, presented by AstraZeneca, but he was not in attendance. WBCA executive committee president Sherri Coale accepted on his behalf.

Laursen, who spent 34 seasons at CAJC, regaled the room with anecdotes and one-liners worthy of a stand-up comic while accepting her award, presented by emcee, Carolyn Peck.

Among other things, Laursen suggested that no one coaches at the Junior College level for the financial benefits, and that there would be a collection cup at the exits to help her pay her air fare for the trip back home.

Other noteworthy recipients included University of Louisville first year Head Coach Jeff Walz who received the 2008 Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie of the Year award. Coach Walz thanked several who contributed to his success including his wife, his players, and his staff.

“I don’t think we ever had even one staff meeting the whole year because we didn’t need to. Our communication was that good every day,” noted Coach Walz.

Chris Passarell, VP of Marketing for RUSSELL ATHLETIC, reiterated their commitment to women’s sports during the luncheon and relayed an amusing anecdote. During the season, RUSSELL ATHLETIC committed to providing pink uniforms for any teams participating in the THINK PINK initiative during the season. As requests began to exceed supplies, it became apparent that RUSSELL might not be able to fulfill all the requests. The entire RUSSELL executive team mobilized resources, while the entire city of Alexander City, Alabama (RUSSELL ATHLETIC Headquarters) also became involved and the combined efforts allowed them to delivery everything as promised.