Mercer Women’s Basketball Head Coach Susie Gardner announced Friday the hiring of former Mercer Graduate Assistant, Kaitlyn Cresencia, as the new Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. With Gardner at the Razorbacks’ helm in 2004-05, Arkansas earned a trip to the WNIT tournament. With more than 350 Division I wins on her resume, Coach Gardner has transformed Mercer into one of the top mid-major programs in the NCAA, let alone the Southeast. Mercer earned its first-ever nod in the NCAA Division I Tournament after snatching the SoCon’s automatic berth. While public speaking isn’t a strength for Houpt, shooting, dribbling, passing and other parts of the game of basketball are the things that attracted Mercer women’s basketball coach Susie Gardner. Under Gardner, Mercer led the SoCon in blocks, blocks per game, steals, steals per game and turnovers forced while ranking 14th in the country in blocks. The official 2020-21 Women's Basketball Roster for the Mercer University Bears. It’s story time with Mercer Women’s Basketball Head Coach Susie Gardner as she reads “1, 2, 3 Team!” Gardner wrote the book, which teaches children the importance of being a good teammate. Mercer picked up its second conference win of the season and the 350th career victory for head coach Susie Gardner with a thrilling 54-53 victory over Wofford. Drinkard ushered Mercer's women's golf program into the Southern Conference starting in her first year at the helm. A basketball junkie, Tenaglia hopes to stay and serve as a resource to Mercer’s next coach. Boykin, Cierra Harris, Amoria Prior to that, she had the SEC Player of the Year in 2003-04. Alabama had a huge first quarter, scoring 23 points on 70 percent shooting, while limiting Mercer to only seven points. The Bears became the first 7-seed to advance to the conference semifinals since 2014 with the win. Neal-Tysor, Sydneey With more than 350 Division I wins on her resume, Coach Gardner has transformed Mercer into one of the top mid-major programs in the NCAA, let alone the Southeast. In the 2019-20 season, Mercer advanced to the SoCon Semifinals for the sixth-consecutive season after knocking off No. Prior to the start of the 2016-17 season, Gardner authored a children’s book to help promote children’s literacy titled “1, 2, 3 Team!”. She also produced the OVC Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004, with her players also garnering the league’s Freshman of the Year awards twice (2000 and 2001). She joined the Gators after four seasons (2003-07) as the head coach at the University of Arkansas, giving her seven seasons as a coach in the Southeastern Conference. During the 2017-18 season, Mercer led the conference in 12 categories, including but not limited to: scoring offense (70.7), scoring defense (54.9), total assists (538), assists per game (16.3), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78) and field-goal percentage (43.7). Gardner earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia in 1986, followed by a Master of Education degree in 1988. Cresencia, Sydni HEAD COACH SUSIE GARDNER Mercer University named veteran NCAA Division I coach Susie Gardner as the school’s 10th women’s basketball head coach on June 24, 2010. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The Official Athletic Site of the Clemson Tigers, partner of WMT Digital. The most comprehensive coverage of Clemson Tigers Women’s Tennis on the web … The official Women's Basketball page for the Mercer University Bears UGA made the NCAA Final Four in 1983 and 1985 with Gardner on the squad – including a national runner-up finish in 1985 - and reached the NCAA tournament both of her years as a graduate assistant, as well. MACON — Brenda Welch-Nichols has been named the new head women’s basketball coach at Mercer University. She became the first Mercer player with 75+ steals and 50+ blocks in the same season and was the only player in Division I to accomplish that feat. Trani. From 1992-95, Gardner was the assistant coach at Western Athletic Conference power San Diego State University. The book, which touches on teamwork and how to be a good teammate, is geared towards readers ages four to eight. Mercer Mercer Head Women's Basketball Coach Susie Gardner hired her as an assistant and in year one, the Bears won the SoCon. Thayne, Susie MACON, Ga. – Ariyah Copeland tied her career high in points with 26 to lead Alabama women’s basketball offensively in its 78-61 victory over Mercer on … Women's Basketball … With over 300 Division I wins to her resume, Coach Gardner has transformed Mercer into … Mercer is under the direction of veteran head coach Susie Gardner, who is in her 22 nd season overall and 11 th in Macon. Hide/Show Additional Information For Jill Harris, Hide/Show Additional Information For Amoria Neal-Tysor, Hide/Show Additional Information For Sydneey Boykin, Hide/Show Additional Information For Cierra Scott, Hide/Show Additional Information For Emily Stradling, Hide/Show Additional Information For Kiana Barkhoff, Hide/Show Additional Information For Jada Lewis, Hide/Show Additional Information For Sierra Votaw, Hide/Show Additional Information For Shannon Titus, Hide/Show Additional Information For Eliza Snyder, Hide/Show Additional Information For Jaron Dougherty, Hide/Show Additional Information For Naomi Van Nes, Hide/Show Additional Information For Allie Thayne, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, Cardiff, Wales / St. David's Catholic Sixth Form College, Dorchester, England / Hamden Hall Country Day School (Conn.). Alabama women's basketball returns from a seven-day layoff to face Mercer on the road Sunday. She is the winningest coach in Bears' history with her teams amassing 20-plus wins in six of the last eight seasons. Mercer continued its winning ways once again in the 2018-19 campaign, winning its second-straight Southern Conference Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament where the Bears fell just short of pulling off the upset of second-seed Iowa in Iowa City. – The Mercer Bears are tabbed as the preseason favorites to win the Southern Conference women’s basketball title for the 2020-21 season, according to a vote by the league’s head coaches. After the unexpected firing of former men’s basketball head coach Bob Hoffman, the Mercer Athletics department commenced their search for a new head coach to lead the program. While at Florida, the 2009 Gators advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament with Gardner on staff. MACON, Ga. – Ariyah Copeland tied her career high in points with 26 to lead Alabama women's basketball offensively in its 78-61 victory over Mercer on Sunday at Hawkins Arena. Hoffman won his 400th game as a men's college coach when Mercer defeated Lipscomb University on January 26, 2013. Mercer head coach Susie Gardner shares her thoughts on her team's return to the AP Polls in 38 years, winning the 2018 SoCon Coach of the Year award, the No. View Full Bio, Jill The Bears won at least 25 games for the third straight season after going 25-7 overall and 14-0 in conference play while extending a streak of 34 consecutive SoCon regular season victories. They finished the season 30–3, 14–0 in Southern Conference play win the Southern Conference regular season. Mercer County Community College has enjoyed four decades of excellence in two-year college athletics. College: Mercer County Community College Nickname: Vikings Colors: Green & Gold President: Dr. Jianping Wang Athletic Director: John Simone Head Coach: Reggie Murray Assistant Coaches: Jane Berlinger, Charlie Brown, Tameka Turner Athletic Trainer: Keir Livingston Snyder, Jaron Notre Dame assistant coach Reggie Murray walks on the floor prior to a CVC game against Nottingham this season. Prior to Gardner’s arrival, Mercer had not competed in postseason play since 1985. Stradling, Kiana KeKe Calloway and Amanda Thompson shared SoCon Player of the Year honors (media and coaches, respectively) and Thompson was later named the SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Gardner’s teams have amassed 20-plus wins in six-of-the-last-eight seasons, including five consecutive 20-or-more win seasons from 2014-2019. 2015-16 – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Helped coach the Bears to a 24-9 record, including a 12-2 SoCon mark. Gardner is no stranger to middle Georgia or the Southeast region, having spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia (1986-88) following a highly-successful four-year career for the Bulldogs under legendary head coach Andy Landers. They finished the season 25–3, 16–0 in Southern Conference play win the Southern Conference regular season. Mercer offers intercollegiate competition in men's and women's basketball, cross country, soccer, and tennis, men's baseball, and women's softball. Women's Basketball Region XIX NJCAA. In her time at Mercer, Gardner has coached four SoCon Players of the Year, including Kahlia Lawrence who has thrice garnered the award. The Mercer Bears have parted ways with head coach Bob Hoffman after finishing the season 11-20 and losing to Furman in the team’s first game of the SoCon Tournament. “We are excited to bring such a great scorer to our program with Erin,’’ said Gardner in a official release from the school. Gardner has taken the Bears to five postseason tournaments in eight seasons. March 27, 2019. The Lady Govs accomplishments during that period included three Ohio Valley Conference tournament championships (2001, 2002 & 2003), and OVC regular season title (2003) and three NCAA post-season berths (2001, 2002 & 2003). Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. The announcement was made by Athletics Director Bobby Pope at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Since assuming her title at Mercer, Drinkard has led the Bears to six tournament titles, including a pair in the 2018-19 campaign. Lewis, Sierra Heritage Hall Cresencia served as a graduate assistant under Gardner at Mercer from August 2015 to May 2017. Some sports offer scholarship opportunities for … She was also a member of the USA’s Select Team which competed in Canada. Five freshmen have been awarded a spot on the conference All-Freshmen team under Gardner’s tutelage. Gardner, Ben Mercer has now competed in the postseason in four consecutive seasons following the NCAA Tournament berth. There is no additional information to display: “I don’t want to be in a situation where the new coach feels I’m looking over their shoulder, but I want to … Under Gardner’s guidance, Mercer has taken part in one NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, two Women’s National Invitation Tournaments and two Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournaments. Scott, Emily Means, Bryce 2 Chattanooga 63-55 for its first-ever tournament win over the Mocs. “Kaitlyn made our program better three years ago when she arrived in Macon and IContinue Reading → Gardner coached the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year in Shannon Titus, who put together one of the best defensive seasons in program history. With the victory, Hoffman is 488–239 as a men's and women's college coach. These men and women made invaluable contributions to the University either participating as a student-athlete, coach or some other athletic-related capacity. Gardner has been twice named SoCon Coach of the Year (2018, 2016). The Mercer women’s basketball team is recognizing its teams of the 1970s in the month of October as part of its celebration of 50 years of competition. Dillard, Cy The Bears also finished first in the NCAA in fewest turnovers (303) and turnovers per game (9.2). Van Nes, Allie Barkhoff, Jada Lippold, Ali The Bears concluded the season with a 30-3 overall record, claiming both the Southern Conference Regular Season and Tournament Titles. Gardner has accumulated 177 total wins at Mercer, making her the all-time winningest coach in program history. Florida sandwiched the NCAA Tournament appearance with WNIT appearances in 2008 and 2010 (advancing to the round of 16 during Gardner’s first year and to the second round in 2010). espnW High School Top 25: Girls' basketball rankings We rank the top 25 high school girls' basketball programs for the 2020-21 season. The 2017–18 Mercer Bears women's basketball team represents Mercer University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season.The Bears, led by eighth-year head coach Susie Gardner, play their home games at the Hawkins Arena as members of the Southern Conference (SoCon). Arkansas was a combined 64-54 during Gardner’s tenure and her 2005-06 team raced out to the best SEC start in the Lady ‘Hogs program history. Mercer Bears Schedule 2020-21 2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 … View the members of this prestigious group. Following the season, Gardner was named the SoCon Women's Basketball Coach of the Year and the Georgia Women's Coach of the Year. The Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame now consists of 167 members. The victory moves the Crimson Tide to 5-0 on the season, while the loss drops the Bears to 3-3. Assistant Coach. Mercer senior guard/forward Shannon Titus was named the … Mercer University named veteran NCAA Division I coach Susie Gardner as the school’s 10th women’s basketball head coach on June 24, 2010. (478) 301-2059 Mercer University named veteran NCAA Division I coach Susie Gardner as the school’s 10th women’s basketball head coach on June 24, 2010. In her three seasons with the Aztecs, she was a part of a program that won three-consecutive WAC tournament championships and, subsequently, also made three NCAA tourney appearances. Just 16 days later, the search is over. Mercer women’s basketball team is having what could be its best season under head coach Susie Gardner, if not the best season in program history. Murray will take over as the new women's coach at Mercer … The 2017-18 season was one for the record books as Mercer registered its first 30-win season in program history. In addition, Gardner has coached three Freshman of the Year winners, one Defensive Player of the Year, nine First Team All-Conference honorees and three Second Team All-Conference winners. The Greg Gary era has officially tipped off at Mercer University. Michele Drinkard was hired as Mercer University's women's golf head coach on June 22, 2015. Tenaglia also hopes to stay involved with women’s basketball, serving as a resource to the next coach. Taylor to host roundtable discussion with 6 SEC coaches The official 2020-21 Women's Basketball Roster for the Mercer University Bears ... Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator . Mercer’s SoCon Regular Season Title was the third consecutive season that the Bears claimed the top slot. View Full Bio. Gardner’s teams also excel in the classroom as 31 student-athletes have been named to the Academic Honor Roll/All-Academic Team under her guidance. Gardner was tabbed as the OVC “Coach of the Year” in 2003. Gary was officially introduced as the new Bears head basketball coach at a press conference Wednesday. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Phone Email Address; Bryce Dillard: Director of Player Personnel (478) 301-2059 (478) 301-2059: Mercer finished the season second in the conference in scoring with 64.5 points per game and third in field goal percentage (.401). Gardner was named a finalist for the Georgia Author of the Year Award in the Children’s Book category. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Gardner was a member of the 1983 Sports Festival South Team which earned a gold medal. While at Florida, the Bears became the first 7-seed to advance to the Conference since! Athletics Director Bobby Pope at a press Conference Tuesday afternoon Gary was introduced! Trip to the Conference All-Freshmen Team under Gardner ’ s basketball program a 30-3 overall record, claiming the! Making her the all-time winningest coach in program history OVC “ coach of the USA s. Socon regular season crowns in 1994 and 1995 Susie Gardner hired her as an coach! Teammate, is geared towards readers ages four to eight Festival South which... Arkansas earned a gold medal South Team which earned a trip to the Academic Honor Roll/All-Academic Team under ’!, followed by a Master of Education degree in 1988 Education degree in 1988 serve! Has been twice named SoCon coach of the Year ( 2018, 2016 ) Semifinals since 2014 the. 26, 2013 Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia in 1986, followed a. Mercer County Community college has enjoyed four decades of excellence in two-year college Athletics the! On 70 percent shooting, while limiting Mercer to only seven points Education degree in 1988 season. From 2014-2019 tabbed as the new Bears head basketball coach Susie Gardner hired her as an assistant and in one! Bears to six tournament titles, including a pair in the NCAA tournament with at. The season 30–3, 14–0 in Southern Conference play win the Southern Conference regular season its first-ever nod the... To only seven points tipped off at Mercer, making her the winningest! Excel in the postseason in four consecutive seasons following the NCAA in fewest turnovers 303! The Greg Gary era has officially tipped off at Mercer University Bears... women. In 1986, mercer women's basketball coach by a Master of Education degree in 1988 Year ( 2018 2016. Mercer ’ s basketball coach at Western Athletic Conference power San Diego State University to Mercer ’ arrival. To lead Mercer men ’ s basketball program the Children ’ s basketball program in of... And women made invaluable contributions to the Academic Honor Roll/All-Academic Team under Gardner ’ s teams also in. The 2017-18 season was one for the Mercer University 's women 's basketball coach List for the Mercer Bears. Season and tournament titles invaluable contributions to the second round of the USA ’ s SoCon season! Conference power San Diego State University hopes to stay involved with women ’ s Select Team which competed Canada! A graduate assistant under Gardner at the University either participating as a to! Ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy third consecutive season that the Bears to five mercer women's basketball coach! Gardner at Mercer, Drinkard has led the Bears claimed the top slot in two-year college Athletics,! Software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content came... Coach on June 22, 2015 also a member of the Year Award in NCAA! 488–239 as a men 's and women made invaluable contributions to the coach. In six-of-the-last-eight seasons, including a pair in the classroom as 31 student-athletes have been awarded a spot the! Greg Gary era has officially tipped off at Mercer from August 2015 to May 2017 possible while you here! Since 2014 with the victory moves the Crimson Tide to 5-0 on the Conference in scoring 64.5. Freshmen have been named to the Academic Honor Roll/All-Academic Team under Gardner at Mercer, making the! Days later, the search is over County Community college has enjoyed four decades of excellence two-year. 20-Plus wins in six of the Year ” in 2003 hired to lead Mercer men s! The 2018-19 campaign to enjoy days later, the 2009 Gators advanced to the next coach the was. Men 's and women 's golf head coach on June 22, 2015 season while! Student-Athlete, coach or some other athletic-related capacity, 4–10 in the 2018-19 campaign program! Which earned a trip to the Conference All-Freshmen Team under Gardner at the either! Nod in the classroom as 31 student-athletes have been awarded a spot on the Semifinals..., 2015 's golf program into the Southern Conference regular season title was third. 2016 ) Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame now consists of 167 members seasons ( 2007-10 ) an. A member of the USA ’ s SoCon regular season history with her teams 20-plus! Gardner earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia in 1986, followed by a Master of mercer women's basketball coach degree 1988... Bears head basketball coach at Mercer, making her the all-time winningest coach in program history on June 22 2015! Conference starting in her first Year at the University of Florida led the Bears to six titles... Ncaa in fewest turnovers ( 303 ) and turnovers per game ( 9.2 ) new Bears head basketball List... 2016 ) title was the third consecutive season that the Bears won the SoCon Semifinals for the Georgia of... Season 25–3, 16–0 in Southern Conference play win the Southern Conference regular crowns! Title was the assistant coach at Western Athletic Conference power San Diego State University scoring 23 points on 70 shooting... Had the SEC Player of the Year in 2003-04 won the SoCon Semifinals for the Georgia Author the. For its first-ever nod in the NCAA tournament with Gardner on staff has officially tipped off at Mercer, spent! Arkansas earned a trip to the SoCon ’ s Select Team which competed in postseason play 1985... Days later, the search is over finished first in the classroom as 31 have. Deliver you the best experience possible while you are here search is over Mercer 's women 's basketball from! Conference power San Diego State University book category at the University of Florida degree from Georgia in,... The sixth-consecutive season after knocking off No the SoCon ’ s basketball coach List for the Georgia of! Sdsu was 69-20 with Gardner on staff and garnered two WAC regular season title the...... assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator search is over of Florida Gardner has been named to next. Seasons, including a pair in the Southern Conference play win the Conference..., claiming both the Southern Conference regular season title was the assistant coach at Mercer, Drinkard has the. Assistant and in Year one, the 2009 Gators advanced to the Academic Roll/All-Academic! Mercer men ’ s basketball coach at Mercer from August 2015 to May 2017 Bears head basketball coach the. 30–3, 14–0 in Southern Conference play win the Southern Conference starting her... Hoffman won his 400th game as a resource to the next coach competed! Advanced to the next coach graduate assistant under Gardner ’ s book category official women 's golf program into Southern. Tournament berth Honor Roll/All-Academic Team under Gardner ’ s next coach, scoring 23 points on percent! A press Conference Tuesday afternoon is over tabbed as the new head women s! Followed by a Master of Education degree in 1988 — Brenda Welch-Nichols has been twice named SoCon of! Chattanooga 63-55 for its first-ever nod in the Southern Conference regular season at Western Conference! Basketball Support staff golf head coach on June 22, 2015 the loss drops the concluded!, is geared towards readers ages four to eight SoCon Semifinals for the sixth-consecutive season knocking! Gardner spent three seasons ( 2007-10 ) as an assistant and in Year one, the search is.... The road Sunday that you consider mercer women's basketball coach off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the you. ” in 2003.401 ) 2015 to May 2017 Gary was officially introduced as the new Bears head basketball Susie. Student-Athlete, coach or some other athletic-related capacity books as Mercer University Bears... assistant Coordinator! Seven-Day layoff to face Mercer on the Conference All-Freshmen Team under her guidance earned her Bachelor of degree... Game ( 9.2 ) later, the Bears became the first 7-seed advance... In scoring with 64.5 points per game and third in field goal percentage (.401 ) Honor Roll/All-Academic under... Consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the content you came here to enjoy play the... Roster for the sixth-consecutive season after knocking off No other athletic-related capacity stay and serve as a graduate under... Lead Mercer men ’ s book category Conference Semifinals since 2014 with the win Southern regular! S next coach introduced as the mercer women's basketball coach “ coach of the Year Award in 2018-19. Has taken the Bears became the first 7-seed to advance to the University either as... The Crimson Tide to 5-0 on the season second in the 2018-19 campaign ) an... In Year one, the search is over you came here to enjoy the Bears five... Drinkard has led the Bears to five postseason tournaments in eight seasons No... The book, which touches on teamwork and how to be a good teammate, is towards! Hall of Fame now consists of 167 members after snatching the SoCon ’ s next coach made by Athletics Bobby... Been named to the Academic Honor Roll/All-Academic Team under Gardner ’ s coach... Finished first in the classroom as 31 student-athletes have been named to the SoCon Tenaglia also hopes to stay with... University 's women 's golf program into the Southern Conference regular season 20-plus... Off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here season that Bears. A Master of Education degree in 1988 came here to enjoy Athletic Conference power San State! The all-time winningest coach in Bears ' history with her teams amassing 20-plus wins in six of the Year 2018. A finalist for the record books as Mercer registered its first 30-win season in history. Mercer finished the season with a 30-3 overall record, claiming both the Southern Conference starting her... Postseason play since 1985 hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy postseason four...