| Stefanie Pemper, right,
coached Courtney Trotta and her teammates to the 2004 title game,
compiling a 30-1 record. Bowdoin athletics photo |
Bowdoin women's basketball coach Stefanie Pemper has accepted
the position of head women's coach at the Naval Academy.
In her 10 seasons at Bowdoin, Stefanie Pemper established the Polar
Bears as one of the premier Division III programs in the nation,
accumulating a record of 235-48 (.830). The most successful coach
in Bowdoin women's basketball history, Pemper led the squad to NCAA
bids in nine of her 10 seasons, including an incredible six-year
stretch from 2002-07.
The Polar Bears reached the Elite Eight each of those seasons,
posting a mark of 164-14 (.921) and playing before some of the
largest crowds in Division III basketball. They won the NESCAC
championship in each of those campaigns and reached the NCAA
championship game in 2004.
"Stefanie Pemper is a wonderful teacher," said athletic director
Jeff Ward. "Her teams had unbelievable success on the court, but
her ability to help young women grow and flourish as people is even
more impressive."
"What an amazing 10 years it has been," said Pemper. "I owe Bowdoin
so much for giving me the opportunity to be a head coach, and I
will miss this place tremendously. The success of our program has
always been a collaborative effort. ...
"I want to thank our players and our alums for all they've done for
me and the program. I've always encouraged them to treasure their
four years of college basketball and to take ownership in the team,
to make it theirs. They've always done that and that's why the
program is special. The team is in a great place with a talented
group returning and a wonderful class of recruits coming. We
weathered through a year of challenges this past season with great
trust, focus, and maturity. Jeff will hire a fantastic coach and a
very special senior class of Jill Anelauskas, Alexa Kaubris, and
Maria Noucas, will provide wonderful leadership through the
transition. This program is very healthy."
A national search has begun for Pemper's replacement.