Applebury a Regional Coach of the Year

UMW head basketball coach Deena Applebury was named one of eight 2012 Russell Athletic/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III regional coaches of the year. She also was named a finalist for the National Coach of the Year Award.

Women’s basketball coach Deena Applebury (center) is a finalist for National Coach of the Year. Photo by Norm Shafer

Applebury’s No. 7 Eagles advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III National Tournament, riding a program-best 30-0 record before ending the season with a 30-1 mark. The ninth-year head coach was named the Russell Athletic/WBCA Coach of the Year in 2007. She has twice before earned a nod for WBCA Regional Coach of the Year.

Russell Athletic, which manufactures and sells athletic wear, and the WBCA present the annual National Coach of the Year Award in each of the five WBCA membership divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III; National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; and junior/community college and high school. This marks the award’s 30th year; the WBCA has selected the recipients since 1985.