The all-time leading scorer in the history of the Southern Connecticut State University women’s basketball program is returning home, as Kate Lynch ’08 was introduced as the Owls head coach earlier today. Director of Athletics Jay Moran made the announcement in a press conference at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center.
“We are ecstatic to have Kate return to Southern Connecticut as our head women’s basketball coach,” Moran said. “She had an indelible impact on this program during her time as a student-athlete, highlighted by a National Championship in 2007. I am confident that her experiences as a student-athlete at SCSU, along with her outstanding coaching acumen, will allow our program to return to national prominence.”
“It has always been a dream to return back to Southern Connecticut as its head women’s basketball coach,” Lynch said. “Today, that dream came true. I would like to thank Jay Moran and the entire search committee for providing me with this opportunity. I am eager to lead this program in the years ahead with the goal of cultivating an environment for our student-athletes that is just as enjoyable and successful as it was during my time here as a student-athlete.”
Lynch has enjoyed success as a coach at the Division I, II and III levels, along with the junior college ranks, since the conclusion of her playing career at SCSU.
Most recently, Lynch spent the 2014-15 season as the head coach at Molloy College. She guided the Lions to 11 victories last season, including a triumph over No. 10 nationally ranked Tampa.
Her three years prior to Molloy were spent as the head coach at the Community College of Rhode Island, where Lynch led the Knights to three straight Region XXI regular season titles. She was named the 2013 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association’s National Coach of the Year after a 25-win campaign and a District N Championship.
Lynch started her foray into coaching as the Director of Basketball Operations at Fairfield University, where she worked alongside her former coach at SCSU, Joe Frager. She also spent a year as an assistant coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Her playing career at Southern Connecticut was arguably the finest in program history. A two-time All-American, Lynch remains the all-time leading scorer in Owls’ history (1,779 points) and ranks fifth all-time in rebounds (650). She also holds the career record for most field goals made (650) along with single-season records for games played, most field goals made, most field goals attempted, most free throws made and most points.
Lynch was a part of 103 victories over her four years at SCSU, including three NCAA Tournament appearances and two Northeast-10 Tournament titles. Known for elevating her play in big games, she posted four double-doubles during Southern’s run to the 2007 NCAA title, and averaged 21 points and 10.7 rebounds per game over its national quarterfinal, semifinal and final victories. Lynch was also named the Regional Player of the Year as a senior and the NE-10 Player of the Year as a junior.
She was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in the spring of 2014 and the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame later that summer. Lynch was also inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Lynch holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science/human performance from SCSU and went on to earn a master’s degree in sports management from Lasell College in 2014.
http://southernctowls.com/news/2015/6/29/GEN_0629152559.aspx
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