Gravina A Recipient Of IBCA Division I 'Coach of the Year' Honor

Head coach JD Gravina earned his fourth IBCA 'Coach of the Year' award.

MACOMB, Ill. – After a record-setting season, head coach JD Gravina added another award to his list of accomplishments as he was named a recipient of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Division I 'Coach of the Year.'

"Like all coach of the year awards, this is just another recognition of our team success," said head coach JD Gravina. "I'm very proud of the way our team played this season, and I appreciate the IBCA recognizing us."

The award marks Gravina's fourth as a head coach, earning of the honor three times as the IBCA Division II 'Coach of the Year' during his tenure at Quincy University (2008-11).

Gravina, the current Summit League 'Coach of the Year,' led the Leathernecks to an unprecedented 26 total wins as well as the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 22 years. The women's basketball team captured both the 2016-17 Summit League Regular Season (first since 2006) and Tournament (first since 1995) Championship. The Leathernecks also earned a record-setting eight regular season league awards among five different members of the team in Emily Clemens (All-League First Team/Summit League Player of the Year), Morgan Blumer (All-League First Team/All-Newcomer Team/Transfer of the Year), Taylor Higginbotham (All-League Second Team), Olivia Braun (All-Newcomer Team) and Gravina (Coach of the Year).

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#12 Morgan Blumer: G; 5' 11"; Junior; Milton / Florida Gulf Coast

#3 Olivia Braun: F; 6' 1"; Junior; St. Catherine's / Toledo

#2 Emily Clemens: G; 5' 4"; Junior; Muscatine

#24 Taylor Higginbotham: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore; Germantown

Players Mentioned

#12 Morgan Blumer
: 5' 11"; Junior; Milton / Florida Gulf Coast
: G

#3 Olivia Braun
: 6' 1"; Junior; St. Catherine's / Toledo
: F

#2 Emily Clemens
: 5' 4"; Junior; Muscatine
: G

#24 Taylor Higginbotham
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; Germantown
: G