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Mary Evans Hired to Lead Valpo Women’s Basketball Program

Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced that Mary Evans has been selected as the next head coach of the Valparaiso University women’s basketball program.

Evans will be formally introduced at a welcome reception on Wednesday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Athletics-Recreation Center media room.

Evans, who has spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio University, becomes the eighth head coach in program history. She brings 15 years of Division I experience with her to Valpo.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Evans to the Valpo Athletics family,” LaBarbera said. “She brings a wide range of experience to our program and understands what championship basketball entails at schools like Valpo. Her passion and energy were evident from our first conversation.”

During her time on Ohio’s staff under head coach Bob Boldon, Evans helped the Bobcats to three seasons of 22 wins or more, three postseason appearances and three Top 75 RPI finishes. The 2014-15 team established a school record with 27 wins, a 21-win improvement from two years earlier and an 18-win improvement from the previous season. The Bobcats won the 2014-15 MAC regular season and tournament titles and reached the NCAA Tournament.

“Through the interview process, I became more and more excited about the opportunity to become the Valpo head coach,” Evans said. “I kept hearing Mark talk about the Valpo experience, and when I started meeting our student-athletes and everyone on campus, I began to understand what he was talking about. I’m thrilled to be a part of that. Valpo’s mission and values align perfectly with my thoughts and philosophy.”

Evans spent the 2012-13 season at Youngstown State University, where she helped the Penguins to a 23-10 record and a first-round win at Indiana State in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). She has also coached at Georgia Southern University (2007-2012), the University of South Carolina, Aiken (2005-2007) and Seton Hall University (2001-2005).

“I’ve had a vast array of experiences that I believe will serve me well in leading Valpo’s program,” Evans said. “I’ve coached at universities that are similar to Valpo, and I’ve worked for a wide variety of coaches. Over the last 10 years, I have defined how I want to run a program. I’ve developed a solid blueprint of what it takes to turn a program around, and I look forward to implementing that at Valpo.”

The five-year stint at Georgia Southern provided Evans with the opportunity to work at her alma mater. She helped guide the 2009-2010 team to a 19-12 record, the program’s highest win total since 2002-2003.

During her time at Division II South Carolina, Aiken, Evans was an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator, helping the program to its first 20-win season since 2001-2002 in 2006-2007.

At Seton Hall, Evans was on staff as the Pirates reached the WNIT in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. She was the recruiting coordinator during the 2004-2005 season.

“All of the coaches I’ve worked with have influenced me and touched me in some way,” Evans said. “My high school coach Teresa Kendle got me excited about teaching and coaching the game of basketball. During my time at Seton Hall, Phyllis Mangina opened my eyes to how much I still needed to learn.”

At Aiken, Evans worked under Mike Brandt, who provided her with the opportunity to run the defense. When she returned to Georgia Southern under Rusty Cram, she was the offensive coach and had the chance to run practices. For the last six seasons she has served on Boldon’s staff, first at Youngstown State and then at Ohio.

“Coach Boldon has hammered home how important it is to have great relationships with your players,” Evans said. “You’re not going to get anything out of them on the basketball court until they know you care about them as people first. On top of being able to work with him to turn Ohio’s program around, my time under Coach Boldon solidified the importance of those relationships.”

Evans was a two-sport athlete at Georgia Southern, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2000. She won four letters in basketball (1995-1999) and three in soccer during her time as a collegiate athlete. A native of Summerville, S.C., Evans was inducted into the Summerville High School Hall of Fame in 2008. She and her husband Daryl have two children, Keegan Thomas and Zoe Mae.

“I am extremely honored to be the head coach of the Valparaiso women’s basketball team,” Evans said. “I would like to thank President Mark Heckler and Mark LaBarbera for giving me this opportunity. I am enthusiastic for my family and me to become part of the Valpo community.”

What They’re Saying About Coach Evans
Ohio University Head Coach Bob Boldon: “Mary is a hard worker who will undoubtedly be successful as a head coach. Valpo is fortunate to have someone with her knowledge of the game and passion to improve players both on and off the floor. We will certainly miss her and wish her the best of luck as she takes on this new endeavor, an opportunity that she has been diligently preparing for her whole life.”

Former Seton Hall University Head Coach Phyllis Mangina: “I am thrilled that Mary has been given this well-deserved opportunity. She is an excellent recruiter and coach. She is a tireless worker who truly cares about the development and mentoring of her student athletes. Mary will be a wonderful addition to the Valpo family.”

Stetson University Senior Woman Administrator Alicia Queally: “Valparaiso is a great fit for Mary to begin her head coaching career. I am thrilled for her and her family, and even more excited for the opportunity that is ahead for her and the team. She is an X’s and O’s coach who knows how to teach the game so that her players can get the most out of their basketball experience. She is also a great colleague to have on staff. She is the type of coach that will ensure that her players have a great student-athlete experience that will, in turn, lead to success both on and off the court. I wish her luck and nothing but success in this new chapter.”