March 4, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The Conference USA office announced on Wednesday that UCF head women's basketball coach Joi Williams has been named the C-USA Coach of the Year for the 2008-09 season. Williams was selected based on a vote of the league's coaches and sports information directors as well as a media representative from each league institution.
"I am very humbled to be recognized by my peers as C-USA Coach of the Year," said Williams. "I am very fortunate to have a phenomenal staff that has put their heart and soul into helping to lay a solid foundation for building this program. We definitely could not have had the success we have had without their commitment and teamwork."
Engineering an impressive turnaround, Williams led UCF to an 11-5 conference record and a tie for second in the league standings. The Knights' success comes in just her second year at the helm of the UCF program. After finishing in last place in 2007-08 at just 3-13 in league play, UCF vaulted up the standings to finish in a tie for second this season. The conference turnaround is one of the top two in the nation this season.
"I'm also thankful to the group of young women whom I have the privilege of coaching," added Williams. "A lot has been demanded of them and they have responded in a very positive way."
She also guided her team to an 8-0 record at home in conference play, and kept the team's confidence and spirits high after a 2-11 mark against one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. Williams did all of this with one of the youngest teams in the nation.
"Lastly, I am so grateful to Keith Tribble and our administration for providing the support and resources needed to be successful," said Williams.
The second-year head coach becomes the program's first coach to win the honor in C-USA. The honor also marks just sixth time a UCF women's basketball coach has won coach of the year in any conference.
The C-USA office also announced the winners if the other individual awards. Winners include Jareica Hughes, UTEP (Player of the Year), Dietra Caldwell, UTEP (Freshman of the Year), Indira Kaljo, Tulane (Newcomer of the Year), Brittany Gilliam, SMU (Defensive Player of the Year) and Tanesha Washington, Southern Miss (Sixth Player of the Year).
Due to tiebreaking scenarios set by the conference office, the Knights enter this week's C-USA Championship as the fifth seed and open play Thursday against 12th-seeded Rice at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The tournament, runs from March 5-8, is being hosted by Tulane University in New Orleans and will take place at Fogelman Arena.
If the Knights can get past Rice, fourth-seeded Houston awaits in Friday's quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Houston had a 19-9 overall record and was among the four teams tied for second in the league standings. The Cougars claimed the tiebreaker over UCF based on an 80-65 victory against the Knights on Jan. 22 in Houston.
For the past 13 years the league has awarded the championship trophy to eight different outstanding teams. Fans may purchase their tickets in advance by going through the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or Tulane Athletics at tulanegreenwave.com or 504.861.WAVE (9283). General admission all session tickets are $50 for adults and $40 for youth, while single session prices are $10 for adults and $7 for youth.
For more information about the arena's premium seating options, including club seats, group discounts, courtside tables and suites, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit the women's basketball ticket page at UCFAthletics.cstv.com/tickets/w-baskbl-tickets.html.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.