LaTonya Watson has been named the head coach of the University of New Haven women’s basketball program, as announced today by Associate Vice President, Director of Athletics and Recreation Deborah Chin. Watson brings nearly 15 years of Division I coaching experience to the Chargers’ sideline.
“I’d like to welcome LaTonya to the New Haven community,” said Chin. “She has a proven track record of success as she’s worked with championship teams, had student-athletes flourish academically and helped mold valuable members of our society. She is a perfect fit for the University of New Haven and the women’s basketball program.”
“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to be the head coach at the University of New Haven. I would like to thank President Kaplan and Debbie Chin along with the search committee for allowing me to become a part of the New Haven community. I am excited to lead the women’s basketball program into a new era on the heels of its recent success with Coach Grace.”
Watson spent 12 seasons in two stints as an assistant coach at the University of Colorado. While there, she helped coach six teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament including the 2002 squad that advanced to the Elite Eight. She had 10 student-athletes continue their careers professionally, including Mandy Nightingale, who was the university’s 2002 Sports Woman of the Year and a third round selection in the WNBA draft.
She was also the academic liaison for the team which achieved a top-25 ranking in the 1999 WBCA Honor Roll while 92-percent of women’s basketball players graduated during her time in Boulder.
Most recently, Watson spent a season at Bucknell University as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator. She helped lead the Bison to an 18-12 record in 2014-15 and a berth in the Patriot League Championship tournament, while mentoring 2015 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, Jacquie Klotz.
While at Bucknell, she also was a coach facilitator for the Bucknell Bison Leadership Academy, an extension of the Patriot League initiative to develop student-athletes as effective leaders, both on and off the field of play.
“As a team we are ready to be a big part of the New Haven community and give back to those who have and continue to support us,” Watson remarked.
Watson is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team for the Eagles where she appeared in 108 games and currently ranks fifth all-time in assists (446), sixth in steals (235) and 12th in points (1,296).
Watson will officially begin her duties at UNH on Monday, July 20.
http://www.newhavenchargers.com/news/2015/7/8/WBK_0708150941.aspx
Photo Courtesy New Haven Athletics
Tagged with: DII LaTonya Watson New Haven
