Director of Athletics Chad Fowler named Stephanie Anderson the seventh head women’s basketball coach at Fairmont State University on Friday afternoon. Anderson will take over the program following five years as an assistant coach for the Falcons.
“Stephanie’s passion, energy and plan for the women’s basketball program is exactly what we’re looking for in our next head coach, and we are thrilled to have an up-and-coming young coach returning to lead our program,” said Fowler. “Stephanie has been a great leader for our current roster over the past five seasons and we know that she will hit the recruiting trail immediately and build our roster into a power in the Mountain East Conference, Atlantic Region and nationally.”
Anderson will be officially announced as head women’s basketball coach on Monday, May 6 during a 2:30 p.m. introductory press conference in the Feaster Center. Members of the media and community members are encouraged to attend the press conference.
In her five seasons as lead assistant coach for the Falcons, Anderson coached 12 all-conference players, eight 1,000 point scorers and helped Fairmont State advance to the Mountain East Conference Tournament semifinals in three of the last four years. The Falcons advanced to the MEC Tournament Championship Game in 2017.
The Falcons had a record of 90-61 during Anderson’s five seasons as assistant coach.
“We are thrilled that Stephanie will remain a part of the Falcon Family as our head women’s basketball coach,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin President at Fairmont State University. “Stephanie will be a great leader for the student athletes in our women’s basketball program and will recruit high quality students to our great institution for years to come. We can’t wait to see our women’s basketball program soar for years to come under Stephanie’s leadership.”
Anderson arrived at Fairmont State after a successful playing career at California University of Pennsylvania and a three-year stint coaching the Morgantown Mavs AAU team.
“First I would like to thank the city of Fairmont, President Martin, and the entire athletic department for the opportunity to lead this great program,” said Anderson. “I would also like to thank Coach McDonald for giving me the opportunity to coach Division II basketball five years ago.
“Fairmont is a wonderful place and I couldn’t be happier to start my head coaching career here. I am extremely excited to bring a new direction and change to the women’s basketball program moving forward,” Anderson added.
“I am also so appreciative of the Fairmont community and all of their support for the program. I look forward to continue building relationships and working with them in the future,” Anderson said.
As a player at Cal U, Anderson made 82 starts and helped lead the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances during her career. She was also a four-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete and was named to the Cal U Athletic Director Honor Roll four times.
Anderson led the Vulcans to the Atlantic Regional finals (“Sweet 16”) in 2013 after averaging 20 points and knocking down 50 percent of her three-point attempts in the NCAA tournament. For her efforts, she was named to the Atlantic Regional All-Tournament team. She was also named first team All-PSAC West after leading the team in scoring and finishing second in the conference with 76 threes during her senior season.
Anderson was voted team captain for the Vulcans from her sophomore to senior season.
Cal U honored Anderson in 2019 as she was voted the Alumna of the Year by the department of athletics.
Prior to playing at Cal, Anderson was a three-year standout on the basketball team at Morgantown High School. She won a state championship during her sophomore year in 2007 and earned all-conference, all-state, and state player of the year honors in 2009 following her senior season.
She was named the State Tournament MVP following Morgantown’s run to the state championship in 2007.
Anderson received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from California University of Pennsylvania in 2013. She continued her education by obtaining a Master’s of Science degree in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention in 2015 from Cal U.
Stephanie and her husband Tyler Anderson were married during the summer of 2017. The couple welcomed their first child, Noah Anderson, during the summer of 2018.
