Alcorn State, MS –Alcorn State University Director of Athletics, Dr. Darren J. Hamilton, has announced that Ms. Tonya Edwards will be the next Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Alcorn State University, effective July 7, 2008, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. There will be a press conference on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the University Club Floor of the Regions Building in Jackson, Mississippi.
Ms. Edwards comes to Alcorn State from the University of Detroit-Mercy, where she spent the last two seasons as assistant women’s basketball coach. During her tenure she oversaw the budget, scheduling of non-conference games, team travel, served as recruiting coordinator, and coached the guards. In addition, Coach Edwards brings extraordinary credentials having won two high school state championships as a player, two national championships as an NCAA Division I player, two world championships as a professional athlete, and one high school state championship as a head coach. She was also named the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in 1987.
She was coached by the legendary Pat Summit, who has accrued the most career wins in NCAA history. Subsequently, Coach Edwards has received her share of accolades as well. In 2006 Tonya was inducted into the University of Tennessee’s and the Greater Flint Afro-American Halls of Fame, in 1997 and 1998 she was named to the ABL’s all-star team, in 1999 she was named to the WNBA all-star team, in 1990 she was named to the Kodak Women’s Basketball Team, as well as playing professionally in the ABL and WNBA, in Turkey, Italy, and Israel.
In 1990, Ms. Edwards received her B.S. degree in Sports Management with a minor in Business from the
University of Tennessee. Her duties will commence on July 7, 2008.