May 9, 2007

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure University women's basketball coach Jim Crowley has received a multi-year contract extension, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Steve Watson announced today.

Crowley has been St. Bonaventure's head coach for seven seasons. He has a record of 69-129.

This past season, St. Bonaventure finished with a Division I school record 16 wins. The Brown and White posted the program's first winning season in eight years at 16-15 overall and 5-9 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Under Crowley's tutelage, St. Bonaventure tied a program record with seven roads wins and a total of 11 away from the Reilly Center this season, highlighted by a program-best six-game road win streak. The Bonnies advanced to the second round of the A-10 Tournament with a win over Massachusetts before falling to No. 2 seed Temple. Freshman forward Dana Mitchell, who led the Bonnies in scoring and rebounding, was named to the A-10's All-Rookie Team, while senior forward Audrey Latendresse was named to the A-10 Academic All-Conference Team.

St. Bonaventure has flourished academically under Crowley. Three out of the last four seasons, the Bonnies earned a team grade point average (GPA) that ranked in the top 25 of all NCAA Division I teams.

"Both on and off the court, our women's basketball program is moving in a positive direction under Jim's leadership, and we anticipate more of the same," Watson said. "We are happy to make a long-term commitment to Jim. He's done an excellent job of getting model St. Bonaventure student-athletes."

"I am appreciative to Steve Watson for his faith in our program and our staff," Crowley said. "This is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes and also our assistant coaches. The program is in a good place right now and I'm looking forward to leading it to new heights. The Allegany/Olean area has become home to me and I'm excited about staying in the community."

Crowley has been at St. Bonaventure since 1996. He served as an assistant coach under Marti Whitmore from 1996-2000.