Courtesy WBCA

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named G.P. Gromacki of Amherst College as the 2010 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Coach of the Year. This year marks the 28th year this accolade has been presented, which has been selected by the WBCA since 1983.

“The WBCA is delighted to present G.P. Gromacki with the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Division III Coach of the Year Award,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “G.P. Gromacki, selected for the award by his peers, has had an outstanding 2010 season and is deserving of being honored for his success.”

Gromacki is in his third season as head coach at Amherst and in 2008-09 he led the Lord Jeffs to the programs first NCAA Division III Final Four appearance. His team returns to the Final Four for the second year in a row this year as the No. 1 seed in the tournament and the only undefeated team remaining in Division III (31-0). This year’s team has set the Amherst record for most wins in a season (31) and also extended the program’s longest home winning streak of 27 games.

When Gromacki arrived on campus at Amherst, he already carried an impressive career winning percentage (.811) as a head coach. In his first season with the Lord Jeffs, Gromacki guided his team to a 27-3 record (2007-08) and the following year his team went 29-4. In 2008 he was named the NESCAC Co-Coach of the Year and D3hoops.com Regional Coach of the Year. In 2009 he was named D3hoops Northeast Coach of the Year. This year he has once again been named the NESCAC Coach of the Year.

Prior to his arrival at Amherst, Gromacki coached at Saint Lawrence University for six seasons and Hamilton College for one season. His overall career coaching record is 250-45.

“RUSSELL ATHLETIC has been a part of millions of athletes and coaches lives for over a hundred years. We’ve seen our share of ups and downs, but like so many coaches, with dedication, sacrifice and hard work, RUSSELL ATHLETIC has continued to transcend generations,” said Gary Barfield, Executive Vice President, RUSSELL ATHLETIC. “That is why RUSSELL ATHLETIC is proud to honor G.P. Gromacki as the 2010 recipient of the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Division III Coach of the Year Award. G.P. Gromacki embodies the true meaning of our belief: proven on the field of play.”

Gromacki is one of six RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coaches of the Year selected, which also names winners for each of the other four collegiate divisions (NCAA Divisions I, III, NAIA and JC/CC) as well as high school.

The collegiate winner is selected through a two-level process. The first level is by region in which coaches from each WBCA geographical region vote for their respective top coach. Coach Gromacki, having received the most votes in WBCA NCAA Division III Region 1, advanced as a finalist to the national level of the selection process along with the other seven Regional Coaches of the Year in NCAA Division III. Gromacki is also one of the NCAA Division III Women’s Final Four coaches for 2010.

Gromacki and the national winners from the other five divisions will be recognized at the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year Luncheon on Monday, April 5, at 12:30 p.m. CT in the Marriott Rivercenter. The luncheon is part of the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in San Antonio, Texas.