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Bart Walker receives top DI women’s basketball coaching honor

May 06, 2021

Charlotte, NC – Northwest Florida State head coach Bart Walker has been named the 2021 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Coach of the Year, presented by the Marines.

In his sixth year at the helm, Walker led the Raiders to a 24-2 record and the school's first NJCAA DI Women's Basketball National Championship title. Walker was named the Coach of the Tournament after Northwest Florida State defeated Trinity Valley 67-60 in the championship game at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, TX.

Walker had three student-athletes receive tournament honors: Last-Tear Poa, Tournament MVP; Masengo Mutanda, All-Tournament Team; Chanaya Pinto, All-Tournament Team.

"Coach Walker has done a remarkable job developing and maintaining a winning culture for the Women's Basketball program at NWFSC, said Northwest Florida State Athletic Director Ramsey Ross. "I'm so happy for him, our ladies, and our College for reaching the pinnacle of the sport this season.  This award is a well-deserved honor for Coach Walker and his staff, and I'm so proud of their accomplishments."

Prior to the national championship, Walker coached the Raiders to their third consecutive Panhandle Conference title. At the time of the conference tournament, Northwest Florida State had won 28 of their last 29 games.

Walker received the Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year award and had five student-athletes garner All-Panhandle Conference Recognition. Mutando, Pinto and Poa received First Team recognition as Kynadi Kuykendoll and Inès Piper earned Second Team honors. Pinto and Poa were also named to the FCSAA/Region VIII All-Tournament Team.

Pinto also received 2020-21 Region VIII All-American Second Team recognition and was named to the 2020-21 NJCAA All-America Second Team.

2020-21 Accomplishments

  • NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship title.
  • NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.
  • Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year.
  • Coached NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship Tournament MVP – Last-Tear Poa.
  • Coached NJCAA All-America Second Team selection – Chanaya Pinto.
  • Two NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team selections.
  • Five All-Panhandle Conference selections.
  • One Region VIII All-American selection – Chanaya Pinto.
  • Two FCSAA/Region VIII All-Tournament Team selections.
  • One FCSAA/Region VIII All-State selection – Chanaya Pinto.