The Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors for the 2011-2012 season went to Stephanie Glance, who led the women’s basketball team to a second place finish last season. The Redbirds had been selected to finish sixth in a preseason poll.

It was the sixth-straight season the Redbirds have finished in the top-two of the Valley regular season standings. Under Glance’s leadership, the team had four players who finished the regular season averaging double-digit scoring efforts. Junior transfer Jamie Russell was named MVC Newcomer of the Year.

“It’s very humbling to receive the Coach of the Year award,” Glance said. “The coaches in the Missouri Valley Conference are such quality coaches and people. I am grateful to be recognized among them, but ultimately this honor goes to my staff and team. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful staff and such a special group of players to coach. Thank you most of all to them for their commitment to excellence and their willingness to give their very best.”