Post by rainman on Dec 23, 2007 6:34:56 GMT -5
Izzo-Brown staying at WVU
BY MICKEY FURFARI FOR THE TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN
MORGANTOWN — Apparently the University of Michigan, which lured West Virginia’s football and basketball coaches, isn’t going to able to take its women’s soccer coach, too.
Nikki Izzo-Brown, who founded the program here 12 years ago, announced through the school on Saturday afternoon that she will remain at WVU.
She reportedly had been a candidate for the head coaching job at Michigan last week. But she responded to reporters then simply with a “no comment.”
That changed Saturday, though.
In a prepared statement, she said: “I am very happy to be the women’s soccer coach at West Virginia University. Throughout the week, everyone has shown a tremendous commitment to the academic and athletic success of the women’s soccer program.
“I am happy to remain a Mountaineer, and feel privileged to coach such a great group of ladies. I hope to continue to build a women’s program that WVU and the people of West Virginia can be proud of.”
President Mike Garrison and Athletic Director Ed Pastilong expressed their appreciation that Izzo-Brown decided to remain here.
Garrison said he had the pleasure of discussing with her the vision she has for the future of the women’s program at WVU. “There were a number of items she felt were important to the success of the team, and WVU is taking steps to make several of the improvements she identified,” the president said.
Pastilong said, “With Nikki as head coach, we started women’s soccer at WVU 12 years ago, and together we have built a Top
10 program. With Nikki at the helm, the future continues to look bright.”
This year’s team finished seventh in the final poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas. It is the highest ranking in the WVU program’s history.
The Mountaineers advanced to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight for the first time. They posted an 18-5-2 record, tying the all-time high for most wins in a season.
WVU also drew an estimated 3,000 fans for an all-time attendance record at its quarterfinal match USC, the eventual NCAA champion.
Izzo-Brown’s team repeated as American Division champion of the Big East, giving her a third regular-season title. The Mountaineers also won the school’s first Big East tournament crown.
Her 12-year record is 178-72- 19. That averages out to slightly under 15 victories per season.
She has coached six AllAmerica players, at least four conference players of the year, and more than 20 all-regional players.
Izzo-Brown said she thanks Garrison and Pastilong for the support and confidence they have shown in the women’s soccer program.
Garrison said, “The Big East champion team is building a legacy of excellence ... They just fell one goal short of reaching the Final Four this year.
“Here on campus, we’re proud of them not just for what they do on-field, but for their academic accomplishments and their involvement in the community.”
Pastilong said, “I have great confidence that Nikki will continue to build upon the outstanding Elite Eight from this past season.”
BY MICKEY FURFARI FOR THE TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN
MORGANTOWN — Apparently the University of Michigan, which lured West Virginia’s football and basketball coaches, isn’t going to able to take its women’s soccer coach, too.
Nikki Izzo-Brown, who founded the program here 12 years ago, announced through the school on Saturday afternoon that she will remain at WVU.
She reportedly had been a candidate for the head coaching job at Michigan last week. But she responded to reporters then simply with a “no comment.”
That changed Saturday, though.
In a prepared statement, she said: “I am very happy to be the women’s soccer coach at West Virginia University. Throughout the week, everyone has shown a tremendous commitment to the academic and athletic success of the women’s soccer program.
“I am happy to remain a Mountaineer, and feel privileged to coach such a great group of ladies. I hope to continue to build a women’s program that WVU and the people of West Virginia can be proud of.”
President Mike Garrison and Athletic Director Ed Pastilong expressed their appreciation that Izzo-Brown decided to remain here.
Garrison said he had the pleasure of discussing with her the vision she has for the future of the women’s program at WVU. “There were a number of items she felt were important to the success of the team, and WVU is taking steps to make several of the improvements she identified,” the president said.
Pastilong said, “With Nikki as head coach, we started women’s soccer at WVU 12 years ago, and together we have built a Top
10 program. With Nikki at the helm, the future continues to look bright.”
This year’s team finished seventh in the final poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas. It is the highest ranking in the WVU program’s history.
The Mountaineers advanced to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight for the first time. They posted an 18-5-2 record, tying the all-time high for most wins in a season.
WVU also drew an estimated 3,000 fans for an all-time attendance record at its quarterfinal match USC, the eventual NCAA champion.
Izzo-Brown’s team repeated as American Division champion of the Big East, giving her a third regular-season title. The Mountaineers also won the school’s first Big East tournament crown.
Her 12-year record is 178-72- 19. That averages out to slightly under 15 victories per season.
She has coached six AllAmerica players, at least four conference players of the year, and more than 20 all-regional players.
Izzo-Brown said she thanks Garrison and Pastilong for the support and confidence they have shown in the women’s soccer program.
Garrison said, “The Big East champion team is building a legacy of excellence ... They just fell one goal short of reaching the Final Four this year.
“Here on campus, we’re proud of them not just for what they do on-field, but for their academic accomplishments and their involvement in the community.”
Pastilong said, “I have great confidence that Nikki will continue to build upon the outstanding Elite Eight from this past season.”
