Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, founder of the game of basketball, the Naismith Trophy is awarded annually to the women’s and men’s college basketball players of the year.

In 1987, the Naismith Women’s and Men’s College Coach of the Year Awards were originally given to the coaches of the women’s and men’s NCAA Division I tournament champions. In 1989, the determination of the award winner was changed to a voting process by Atlanta Tipoff Club’s board of selectors, including leading basketball journalists, coaches, and administrators from across the country.

Bonvicini is one of the most successful coaches in women’s collegiate basketball history, as she is currently 11^th on the NCAA Division I all-time wins list for women’s college basketball. She boasts a 662-361 career coaching record, coaching her 1000^th career game earlier this season vs. Washington on Nov. 14. In February 2007, she became only the 18^th coach in NCAA DI women’s basketball history to reach the 600-win mark. She brings this same level of excellence in her fourth year at Seattle U, as the Redhawks have led the Western Athletic Conference for the majority of the conference season. On their Drive for the Championship, SU will compete for their first WAC Championship next week, with a chance at their first automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Catch the Redhawks in their final regular season home game on Saturday, Mar. 9 at 4 p.m. as they host the Idaho Vandals. They will also honor this year’s seniors – Brenda Adhiambo, Maggie McCarthy, and Daidra Brown – in their final home game in Redhawk uniform.

Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Top 30