Suzy Venet Named WBCA Regional Coach of the Year

LILBURN, Ga.--Mount Union head women's basketball coach Suzy Venet has been named Regional Coach of the Year by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

Venet has led the Purple Raiders to their second Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament championship in school history, a 26-4 overall record and into the sectionals (round of 16) of the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship this weekend in St. Louis, MO.

"I am proud of everything this team and our program has accomplished and this really just another part of that," commented Venet.  "Obviously nothing this program has accomplished has been without the tremendous support of everyone at Mount Union, players past and present along with my coaching staff and family.'

It is the first time Mount Union made the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the sectional round since 1998 which ironically was Venet's senior year as starting point guard for Mount Union.  Venet is the only two-time All-American as a player for the Purple Raiders, scored over 1,500 points and is still the OAC's all-time assists leader.

Venet is in her fifth season at her Alma mater with a 79-56 record.  This season Venet has directed a squad that features just one senior, three underclassmen starters all while giving birth to her first child in the middle of the season.