NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State Director of Athletics Marty L. Miller announced Friday that women’s basketball coach Larry Vickers has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the program through the 2022-23 season.
Vickers has one year remaining on his current contract and will receive an additional three years in the new deal.
“Coach Vickers has done an excellent job with improving the overall performance of the women’s basketball team,” Miller said. “His success in elevating the program to a contender for the conference championship in less than three years reflects his abilities as a coach and teacher.
“The current success of the program may be a surprise to many, but after observing him for several years as an assistant with the men’s basketball team, I thought that he had all of the qualities and traits to create a winning environment for women’s basketball. I am predicting that he will win several conference championships during his tenure.”
Vickers has presided over a resurgence for the women’s basketball program. After taking over a winless team midway through the 2015-16 season, he has compiled a 53-49 record leading the Spartan women, including a 33-25 conference record. NSU has finished .500 or better overall in each of his three full seasons leading the program, including back-to-back winning seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
“I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to be the head women’s basketball coach here at my alma mater. While we are proud of what we have achieved, there is still so much more to accomplish,” Vickers stated. “This extension is a reflection of the commitment, hard work, and accomplishments of an incredible group of student-athletes and coaches over the past three seasons.
“I must thank former President Dr. Melvin T. Stith, Athletic Director Marty L. Miller and the Board of Visitors for their confidence in our program. This is an exciting time on campus and we look forward to representing Norfolk State.”
In 2017-18, NSU went 18-11 overall, the program’s first winning season since 2001-02 and the third-most wins in NSU’s Division I history. In 2018-19, the Spartans were 17-15 overall and made the program’s first MEAC tournament championship game appearance since 2005.
In addition, NSU has had a winning MEAC record during each his first three full years with the program, the first such three-year streak since joining the league in 1997. Three of the program’s four winning MEAC seasons since 2001-02 have come under Vickers. During those three seasons combined, the Spartans have had the league’s top scoring defense.
Courtesy: NSU Athletics
