Melanie Balcomb Named as Top 25 Finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award 2/28/03

Vanderbilt Head Basketball Coach Melanie Balcomb has been named one of 25 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Coach of the Year Award. Jackie Bradford, President of the Atlanta Tipoff Club, announced the Top 25 list. 

The winners of the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball, will be honored in Atlanta on April 11, 2003 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Balcomb, in her first year with the Commodores, has led Vanderbilt to an 18-8 record and 8-5 mark in SEC action.

Senior Center Chantelle Anderson is a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year Award.

The Top 25 Coaching List includes:
Geno Auriemma, Connecticut
Melanie Balcomb, Vanderbilt
Gary Blair, Arkansas
Joan Bonvicini, Arizona
Kevin Borseth, Wisconsin - Green Bay
Pam Borton, Minnesota
Kurt Budke, LA Tech
Jody Conradt, Texas
Kristy Curry, Purdue
June Daugherty, Washington
Sharon Fanning, Mississippi State
Mark French, UC - Santa Barbara
Gail Goestenkors, Duke
Sue Gunter, LSU
Sylvia Hatchell, North Carolina
Cathy Inglese, Boston College
Andy Landers, Georgia
Deb Patterson, Kansas State
Harry Perretta, Villanova
Rene Portland, Penn State
Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech
Vivian Stringer, Rutgers
Pat Summitt, Tennessee
Tara VanDerveer, Stanford
Susan Walvius, South Carolina