Purdue athletics director Morgan Burke announced today that head women’s basketball coach Sharon Versyp has agreed to a contract extension that secures her presence on the Boilermaker sideline through the 2019-20 season.
It is the fifth contract extension for the former Boilermaker point guard who became Purdue’s eighth head coach April 10, 2006.
"Sharon has built a solid foundation for sustained success," said senior associate athletics director Nancy Cross, who oversees the women’s basketball program. "Her competitive fire burns brightly, just as it did when she was a Boilermaker student-athlete, and our program is in a strong position to compete for championships with Sharon at the helm."
In eight seasons, Versyp has led Purdue to four Big Ten Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearances. She has compiled a 183-88 record – an average of 23 wins per season and a .675 winning percentage – including an 88-49 mark in the Big Ten and a 26-11 mark in the postseason. Versyp is the second-winningest coach in school history, trailing only Lin Dunn (206).
"First and foremost, I appreciate the ongoing commitment and support from our administration – President Daniels, Morgan Burke and Nancy Cross – and the entire Purdue family," Versyp said. "It is an honor to serve as the head women’s basketball coach at my alma mater, and I am extremely thankful and blessed.
"My staff and I will continue working to bring talented student-athletes from Indiana and around the country to preserve and elevate our status as an elite program. We want to attract the very best young women to help us win championships while they earn a world-class education and develop into tomorrow’s leaders."
Versyp has guided 25 players to All-Big Ten accolades at Purdue, including four first-team selections, and three Boilermakers have been recognized with All-America honors. Three players have been selected in the WNBA draft: Katie Gearlds in 2007 (No. 7 by the Seattle Storm), Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton in 2009 (No. 13 by the Los Angeles Sparks) and Danielle Campbell in 2009 (No. 32 by the Indiana Fever).
Each of Versyp’s eight recruiting classes has been ranked in the top 25 nationally, including the most recent 2014 group that was ranked No. 14 by Blue Star Basketball. Seven of the classes have been ranked in the top 15, with three among the top 10, including the class of 2010 that was tabbed sixth.
Equally as impressive as the on-court accomplishments are the team’s academic achievements. The Boilermakers have garnered 36 Academic All-Big Ten honors under Versyp. Brittany Rayburn was a second team Academic All-American in 2012, while Lauren Mioton was a Rhodes Scholar finalist in 2008.
"Year-in and year-out, Sharon fields quality teams made up of student-athletes who earn their degree and represent Purdue University with class," Burke said. "We recognize her success and look forward to her continued leadership of our women’s basketball program for at least six more years. Her goal is to win Big Ten and national championships, and we fully support her in that aspiration."
Versyp played for the Boilermakers from 1984 to 1988. She was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, her first year of eligibility.
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