Burnett Hired to Lead U-M Women's Basketball Program
4/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Press Conference Comments
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan Senior Associate Athletic Director Megan McCallister announced today (Monday, April 21) at Crisler Arena the hiring of Cheryl Burnett as the women's basketball head coach.
| | Burnett |
One of the most respected names in women's college basketball, Burnett arrives in Ann Arbor after a distinguished 15-season stint at the helm of Southwest Missouri State, where she accumulated a mark of 319-136 (.701) from 1987-2002 and took SMS to a pair of Women's Final Fours (1992, 2001).
Athletic Director Bill Martin echoed McCallister's sentiments.
"When Megan told me that Cheryl was interested, I recalled Cheryl's great teams from Southwest Missouri State and I thought to myself, 'She's the one for Michigan'," said Martin. "I am very happy that Cheryl will be guiding this program."
Burnett took over a SMS program that had totaled just five winning seasons and had won more than 20 games on just two occasions in its first 14 years of existence. After a 9-17 mark in first campaign, Burnett took SMS to its first Gateway Conference regular-season title with a 14-4 mark in her third season (1989-90). Her fourth season (1990-91) brought the Lady Bears a then-school record 26 wins and made the school's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
One year later, she took SMS to a school-record 31-3 campaign that included the program's first-ever win over a ranked opponent and a trip to Final Four. Burnett's 26-win season in 1990-91 was the first of 10 seasons with at least 20 wins over an 11-year span, closing with a 29-6 run during the 2000-01 season, which included SMS' second trip to the NCAA Final Four under Burnett.
"I am very excited to take over the head coaching duties at one of the top academic and athletic collegiate institutions in the country," said Burnett. "I also look forward to the opportunity to lead a Michigan program that has made a commitment to women's basketball."
Cheryl Burnett Bio
Contact: Bruce Madej, Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
