DENVER, Colo. – High Point women’s basketball coach Jennifer Hoover been named the recipient of the 2012 Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year Award, as announced by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Monday. 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.
“I am truly honored to be named the Maggie Dixon Award recipient,” Hoover said. “The Maggie Dixon award is inspirational, as her coaching career and unexpected passing affected my peers and I on a personal level in 2006. This award would not have been possible without the administration, fans, players and staff believing in our program here at High Point University. I am thankful to Dr. Nido Qubein and Craig Keilitz for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this great institution and to our players’ for accepting and embracing us as new coaches.”
Hoover led High Point to a 20-13 overall record and its second-ever appearance in the WNIT in her first season at the helm. The Panthers tied their Div. I record for wins in a season and reached the Big South Championship for the third-time in team history. HPU finished second in the Big South with a 13-5 conference record and had three players named to the All-Conference teams including senior Shamia Brown who was named first-team All-Big South.
“We could not be any happier with what Jen has been able to accomplish in her first season,” HPU Athletic Director Craig Keilitz said. “She has been just terrific with the players both on and off the court. She has done an incredible job and I have loved the results from her first season. We expect great things in the future from Coach Hoover.”
The Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I 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 their appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Hoover was be formally recognized during the WBCA Awards Show, which was held on Monday, April 2. This event was part of the WBCA National Convention and held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four®.
Past Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year Recipients:
2011 – Stephanie Glance, Illinois State University
2010 – Teresa Weatherspoon, Louisiana Tech University
2009 – Kelly Packard, Ball State University
2008 – Jeff Walz, University of Lousiville
2007 – Krista Kilburn-Steveskey, Hofstra University