Charlotte, NC – After guiding her team to a national championship through triumph and tragedy, Mary "Roonie" Scovel has been named the 2019 Spalding® DI Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. Scovel led the Commodores to the program's sixth national title in 2019.
Scovel expressed what the honor meant to her following a year of adversity. "Being named the 2019 Spalding® Coach of the Year is truly an honor and very special this particular season as it represents tremendous success by a team who overcame tragedy and devastation to inspire a campus and community by winning the National Championship."
The Commodores' title run was on full display as the 2019 national championship game was televised live on national television via the CBS Sports Network, the first time in the history of the NJCAA. Scovell was named Coach of the Tournament after securing the program's third title in the last four seasons.
Gulf Coast State capped off a 27-5 campaign with a 68-62 victory over New Mexico in the national title game in Lubbock, TX. Scovel guided the Commodores to the NJCAA District H Championship to earn the No. 2 seed at the 2019 NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship. In her 21st year at the helm of the Commodores, Scovel collected the program's 18th conference championship and 13th region championship.
Scovel guided the Commodores to the pinnacle of the NJCAA DI women's basketball world at the end of the year after the unexpected loss of student-athlete Keshawn Johnson prior to the start of the season. With little time to mourn, the Gulf Coast State campus was impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Scovel was also named the 2019 United States Marine Corps/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Two-Year College National Coach of the Year on March 7 where she was awarded the Pat Summit Trophy.
Under Scovel's tutelage, Alexus Dye was named a 2019 NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Second Team All-American and also earned Most Valuable Player honors at the national championship.