UMD has appointed Pearson as their next women’s coach beating compatriots, former Western Michigan assistant Cara Pearson, Division I women’s assistants: Minnesota’s John Motherwell, and former Western Carolina recruiting coordinator Jonelle Streed for the job. Pearson’s selection was conducted by a team of committee members that was led by former UMD coach who took charge of Bulldogs for 21 seasons recording 440-184.
The 32 year old was formerly with the St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn and is the one person who recorded 102-107 and the last three years saw a personal best record of 64-18. She first came to the University in 2006-07 and was faced by a heavy task provided the University had fallen to a 7-18. She would later face a dilemma with only 13 wins in her initial three years. However, hope was not lost and in no time, she was able to organize her team and wins started flowing.
She guided the team to their very first Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in seven years in the 2011-12 season. This would be followed by her being pronounced as the MIAC coach of the year after leading his team to a 22-5 record. In 2013-14, she recorded a 24-4 career best and at the same time propelling the Cardinals to NCAA Division III tournament. In the last year’s edition her team was at 18-9.
She now faces a new challenge when she reinstates Annette Wiles (109-86, in seven seasons) as the new UMD Bulldogs coach. She would try to take the team beyond the two appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament in 2010 and 2012. The team currently stands at a losing berth of 12-15 their worst ever since they were incorporated in the NSIC in 2008-09.
Pearson played for Concordia-Moorhead and claimed the MIAC selection three times and was included in the historical books as the very first player to ever record 1,000 points which were followed by 500 points. She was Hamline University’s assistant in 2005-07 before she joined St. Mary University.
Now that her arrival was preceded by a departure of Bulldog’s assistant coach, Pearson believes that it is her chance to choose the best among the best as very many applicants are willing to be with the Bulldogs and work with her.
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