PARSONS NAMED WBCA D-II REGION 2 COACH OF THE YEAR

            Clarion University head coach Gie Parsons is the Russell Athletic/WBCA Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year after guiding the Golden Eagles to a 23-7 overall record, a 10-2 PSAC-West mark and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs, Clarion’s first since 1995, this season.

            Parsons, who was also the PSAC-West Coach of the Year, is 249-196 in 16 years at Clarion and is the winningest coach in school history. She has led the Golden Eagles to five PSAC-West titles (1991-95), three PSAC Titles (1991, 1992, 1993), six NCAA playoff berths (1991-95, 2005), and two trips to the D-II “Elite 8” (1991, 1994).

            Clarion’s 23 wins this season were the most for the Golden Eagles since the 1994 team won a school-record 26 games, and the 23 wins were the fifth most in Clarion history.

            The Golden Eagles had keys wins over defending national champion and 2005 NCAA qualifier California (the only PSAC team to beat the Vulcans during the regular season), Pitt-Johnstown. Millersville, West Chester and Shippensburg during the regular season and then beat Shippensburg 69-49 in the opening round of the PSAC Playoffs to advance to the PSAC semifinals for the first time since 1995.

            GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES – Clarion lost to Charleston (W.Va.) 79-57 in the opening round of the NCAA Playoffs in a game that saw the Golden Eagles play without No. 1 reserve Jessica Albanese (illness) and all but 10 minutes without 2003 All-America Heather Cigich (injury)… Parsons was also named PSAC-West “Coach of the Year” in 1991 and 1992 while being named the 1991 Converse District 2 “Coach of the Year… Parsons has a career record of 359-269 that includes a 110-73 mark in eight years at Thiel… Last season the Golden Eagles finished 15-12 but won five of their last six games meaning Clarion has now won 28 of its past 36 contests… Top seasons for Parsons at Clarion include 26-4 in 1994, 25-4 in 1992, 24-6 in 1993, 24-8 in 1991 and 23-7 this season.