Stefanie Pemper Named Head Women's Basketball Coach at the Naval Academy

April 30, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced Wednesday that Stefanie Pemper, the fourth all-time winningest coach in Division III history, has been named the head women's basketball coach at the Naval Academy. Pemper compiled an incredible 235-48 (.830) record in 10 seasons at Bowdoin and led the program to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including five Elite Eight appearances and an appearance in the NCAA championship game in 2004.

"Stefanie is a perfect fit for the Academy. She is personable, accomplished, a visionary and inspiring as a coach and is a proven leader," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "Her 'expect to win' philosophy has led Bowdoin to historic accomplishments during her tenure. Coming to Annapolis from one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the nation, coupled with her unparalled success on the court, we have every reason to believe the future for Navy women's basketball is as bright as it has ever been."

"I'm excited for the challenge and looking forward to being part of the NAAA community," said Pemper. "The people I met down there were generous and happy and that speaks well for the support the athletes and coaches receive. I'm flattered by Navy's offer and see it as a fantastic opportunity. The young women who choose Navy are special. It'll be a collective effort; I'm confident our staff with have great integrity and work ethic, but in the end it's the players who have four years to determine what kind of experience they have. I'm really looking forward to guiding that process."

Bowdoin has become the most consistent Division III power in the nation under Pemper's direction, leading the program to six-consecutive NCAA Elite 8 appearances (2002-07) and seven-straight trips to the Sweet 16 (2001-07). In 2004, Pemper's squad compiled a 30-1 mark and became the first team in any sport in school history to play for a National Championship. Pemper was honored after the 2004 season as the WBCA Division III National Coach of the Year.

Pemper's clubs dominated the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), winning seven-consecutive league titles from 2001-07 and Bowdoin rarely, if ever, lost at home winning 76-consecutive games from 2001-07, the fourth-longest streak in Division III basketball history.

Pemper has had numerous players earn national recognition, including two First-Team All-Americans (Lora Trenkle in 2004 and Eileen Flaherty in 2007) and one WBCA National Player of the Year (Eileen Flaherty in 2007).

A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Pemper is a 1992 graduate of Idaho State where she was a two-time All-Big Sky selection and was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 2003.

She got her coaching career started at the University of Alaska-Anchorage as a graduate assistant (1993) before moving on to Idaho State (1994-1995) and Harvard (1996-98). While at Harvard, the Crimson won three-straight Ivy League titles and set an Ivy League record by winning 32-straight conference games. In 1998, Harvard became the first men's or women's No. 16 seed to win an NCAA Tournament game when the Crimson stunned No. 1 seed Stanford.