Sewanee names Tracey Braden as its head women’s basketball coach

University of the South Athletic Director Mark Webb has named Tracey Braden as the new head women’s basketball coach at Sewanee.

“Coach Braden is a highly talented and successful basketball coach. Moreover, she is a proven recruiter and has a strong commitment to the Division III philosophy,” said Webb. “I look forward to great success with Coach Braden at the helm of our women’s basketball program.”

Braden comes to Sewanee after serving as the head women’s basketball coach for the past 10 seasons at NCAA Division III institution Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.

“I am grateful to Mark for giving me the opportunity to join the Sewanee family. I look forward to the challenge of taking this team to the next level and recruiting the type of high-caliber student-athlete that this school attracts,” said Braden. “This team has so much potential for next season and I am excited to get to work.”

As a team, Westminster won St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) regular season championships in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2015-16. The Blue Jays also won the SLIAC Tournament in 2012 and 2013, earning automatic bids into the NCAA Tournament.

Under Braden, 25 student-athletes were named to SLIAC All-Conference teams since 2007. That includes 2010-11 SLIAC Player of the Year Rachel Backes.

During Braden’s tenure, Westminster had a record of 155-100. Braden earned SLIAC Coach of the Year honors in 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13, and 2015-16. The all-time winningest coach in Westminster history, Braden also has served as the director of athletics since 2016.

Off the court, Braden’s players have exemplified the true meaning of NCAA Division III student-athletes. Her teams have been named a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top-25 Team Honor Roll selection four times. Additionally, 12 Westminster student-athletes qualified for the SLIAC All-Academic Team while four players were named CoSIDA Academic All-District selections.

Prior to her time at Westminster, Braden served as head coach at California High School, Harrisonville High School and Winnetonka High School from 1999-2007. During that time, she was named Tri-County Conference Coach of the Year in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

A 1997 graduate of Central Missouri State University, Braden lettered for three seasons in women’s basketball for the Jennies. Originally from Versailles, Missouri, Braden is a member of the NACWAA, NABC, and WBCA.

http://sewaneetigers.com/sports/wbkb/2016-17/releases/20170328h2o07y

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