LILBURN, Ga. - Central Missouri women's basketball head coach Dave Slifer has been named the Russell Athletic WBCA Division II Central Region Coach of the Year, announced by the WBCA on Monday. Coach Slifer helped lead the Jennies to a 24-6 record this season, as the team made it's third appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the past four years.

The Jens had one of their most successful seaons in recent history, as the team recorded the most victories in a single season since 1989-90. They finished second in the MIAA regular season, their best placing since 1999-00.

Slifer finished his ninth season at the helm of the Central Missouri program, and has compiled a record of 169-97 while in Warrensburg. He has earned a career record of 552-196 over his 24 years as head coach, and is the ninth winningest active coach in NCAA Division II.

The 2013 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year will be named during the third annual WBCA Awards Show on Monday, April 8, in New Orleans.  This event is part of the WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four®.

“The WBCA congratulates these coaches on being named finalists for the 2013 RUSSELL ATHLETICS/WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year Award,” said WNBA CEO Beth Bass.  “These coaches led their teams to outstanding seasons and have been selected by their peers as finalists for their accomplishments.  On behalf of the WBCA and its members, I wish all eight of these finalists the best of luck at the WBCA Awards Show in New Orleans.”   
"We would like to congratulate these coaches for being named finalists for the RUSSELL ATHLETICS/WBCA Division II Coach of the Year Award,” said Senior Vice President of Russell Athletic, Gary Barfield. “Each of these coaches embodies the team concept we model our business after, and we are pleased to honor them for a fantastic season."

RUSSELL ATHLETIC and the WBCA present the national coach of the year award annually in each of the five WBCA membership divisions (NCAA Divisions I, II and III; NAIA; junior/community college and high school). This is the 31^st year since 1983 that the WBCA has presented this honor to an NCAA Division II head coach.  For a list of past recipients, visit WBCA.org.