March 13, 2007
Release courtesy of Dave Blanchard, Luther College sports information director

DECORAH, IOWA . . . Luther College women’s basketball Head Coach Jane Hildebrand has been named the Russell Athletic/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 8 Coach of the Year.

This is an annual award that is voted upon by WBCA member coaches from the geographical region. The eight region award winners advance as a finalist to the national level of the selection process for National Coach of the Year.

Coach Hildebrand led the Norse to a ninth appearance in the NCAA Division III National Basketball Tournament, advancing to the Sectional Semifinals (round of 16), before dropping a 58-59 decision to eventual section champion Washington University.

The Norse earned the Iowa Conference automatic bid to the national tournament after capturing a record seventh IIAC regular season title and the IIAC tournament championship. Luther’s 24-9 record tied the school record for wins in a single season and also increased Luther’s string of consecutive winning seasons to 21.

Earlier this year, coach Hildebrand was named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year for a fourth time (1988, 1989, 1991, 2007). She will enter the 2007-08 season three wins from recording her 400th career victory, posting a mark of 397-201 in 23 years as head coach.

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