Feb. 20, 2004

Garden City, N.Y. - Adelphi University Head Women's Basketball Coach, Kelley Watts has been named the Condé Nast College Coach of the Year by the Nassau County Sports Commission (NCSC). The honor is awarded based on excellence in academics, athletics and community service. Watts will be honored at the 10th Annual Award Dinner on Monday, April 19, 2004 at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, N.Y.

In addition, Thomas Cunningham, a senior goalkeeper for the men's soccer team, was named Male Athlete of the Year. Other honorees include some of the best Nassau County affiliate athletes, including Boomer Esiason, Rod Gilbert, Dominique Dawes and John Velasquez, to name a few. In addition, the presentation of the sports commission's two national awards, the John Mackey Award and the Dick Schapp Award, will take place.

Watts is in her second season at Adelphi with a 34-16 overall record. The Panthers (16-8) are currently tied for second place in the NYCAC as the conference tournament date draws near. In addition to a successful program, Watts is committed to various campus and community programs. The team participates in the annual Heartwalk and this season volunteered at the Winthrop-University Hospital Olympic Fun Fest benefiting the Kids With Cancer Center. In addition, the team has hosted several clinics.

Academics are also important to Coach Watts, with over 60 percent of her team maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average. In 2003, her team was selected for the Sportsmanship Award. The award is voted on by officials from the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC), and is presented to the program that displays the greatest amount of sportsmanship during the season.

Past Adelphi award winners include,Head Women's Soccer Coach Rich Ilsley and women's soccer player Jennifer Garone in 2003, former women's basketball coach Kim Barnes-Arico and men's basketall player Eddie Willliams in 2002 and former men's basketball coach Jim Ferry in 2001.