March 29, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head women's basketball coach Stephanie Glance has been named the recipient of the 2011 Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year Award, as announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Tuesday. This distinguished award honors a WBCA Division I head coach who has led her team to a successful season during the first year as a head coach.
"Maggie Dixon was such an inspiration to our profession and her sudden loss was felt by all. I am humbled and honored to receive this award," Glance said. "Many thanks are in order to the WBCA and the selection committee, as well as the administration, fans, players and staff at Illinois State University. Thank you for making this season so special!"
Glance has guided the Redbirds to a 24-10 record and into the semifinals of the WNIT for the third-consecutive season. The 24 wins are the fifth-most in Illinois State history and are tied for the most by a first-year head coach in Missouri Valley Conference history, equaling the mark of Creighton's Jim Flanery in 2002-03. ISU finished tied for second in the Valley regular season with a record of 12-6 after being picked fourth in the preseason poll. Glance mentored three All-Valley selections and guided the Redbirds to a perfect 17-0 home record this season.
The Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year award is in honor of the late Maggie Dixon, former Army head coach, whose success during her inaugural year at the Army helm was remarkable. The Black Knights won the Patriot League title in 2006 and Dixon was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading Army to the NCAA Tournament for the first time at the NCAA Division I level. Coach Dixon passed away on April 6, 2006, just a few weeks following an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"Maggie Dixon was one of my favorite persons in the business," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "And one of my favorite awards to watch is the one named in her honor. Who is going to be the rookie coach of the year, the next great coach? Congratulations to Stephanie Glance for winning this honor."
Past recipients of the Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year award include Hofstra's Krista Kilburn-Steveskey (2007), Louisville's Jeff Walz (2008), Ball State's Kelly Packard (2009) and Louisiana Tech's Teresa Weatherspoon (2010).
Glance will be formally recognized during the WBCA Awards Show, which will be held at 6 pm EDT Monday, April 4, in the Indiana Convention Center's Sagamore Ballroom. This event is part of the WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four®.
