MonticelloLive

Kim Edmondson of the University of Arkansas at Monticello has been named the 2007 Women’s Sports Foundation/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Graduate Assistant of the Year as selected by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The award, along with $1,000, is presented annually to a female graduate assistant coach to recognize her contributions to a collegiate women’s basketball program and her commitment to becoming a coach of women’s basketball. The $1,000 will be awarded to the University of Arkansas at Monticello women’s basketball program.

“We are proud to announce Kim Edmondson as the 2007 recipient of the Women’s Sports Foundation/WBCA Graduate Assistant of the Year Award,” said CEO Beth Bass. “We are always supportive of those individuals who are pursuing a career in coaching and we wish her the best as she continues to build the foundation for a successful coaching career.”

“We are proud to support the continuing development of future coaches and to celebrate the spirit of women’s basketball,” stated Donna Lopiano, Women’s Sports Foundation CEO.

Kim Edmondson is in her first season as a graduate assistant coach with the Cotton Blossoms basketball team. Serving as the only assistant for the UAM squad, Edmondson jumped on board quickly to learn her major duties, which include coordinating academic schedules, conditioning, recruiting and coaching the guards.

Prior to joining the UAM coaching staff, Edmondson was a letterwinner at Lyon College in Batesville, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2003-2004 and 2005-2006, while being named a TranSouth Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete in three consecutive seasons (2003-2006).

Edmondson prepped at Gentry High School for coach Norman Mitchell and was a two-time All-Conference honoree after averaging 15 points, five rebounds and two assists per contest. A native of Gentry, Edmondson is a 2006 graduate of Lyon with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Political Science. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Edmondson will be formally presented the award at the 2007 WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at 12:00 p.m. (ET) in the Crowne Plaza’s Grand Ballroom. The 2007 WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens is during the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the 2007 NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Cleveland, Ohio.

About the Women’s Sports Foundation

This marks the 17th year the Women’s Sports Foundation has recognized a Graduate Assistant of the Year. Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women’s Sports Foundation is a national charitable educational organization seeking to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The Foundation’s Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership Programs are made possible by gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls.