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 Women's Basketball Coach Sharon Versyp Resigns
April 8, 2005 ORONO, Maine- The University of Maine women's basketball coach Sharon Versyp has resigned her position to become the head coach at Indiana University. "We are very happy for Sharon," said Maine Director of Athletics Patrick Nero. "This is a great opportunity for her and we wish her success. She has been a terrific leader for our women's basketball program, she is a wonderful coach and teacher, Indiana is fortunate to have her. The chance to coach back in her home state was important to her and we support her in this decision." "The tradition and mission of the Maine Women's Basketball program leaves us with a very positive outlook on our ability to attract a high quality pool of candidates for the Head Coaching position,," added Nero. "The search for a replacement began today and we are excited for the future." The women's basketball program at the University of Maine has been the dominate program in the America East conference for the past decade. In 1995, under coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie, Maine advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Black Bears have made seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2004) and three appearances in the WNIT (1990, 2003, and 2005). In 2000, Palombo-McCallie was hired by Michigan State, where she guided the Spartans to the National Championship game in 2005. Maine has had 20+ wins in twelve of the last fifteen seasons while leading the conference in attendance each season. In five years at Maine, Versyp has put together a 98-51 record and guided the Black Bears to three straight America East regular season titles and the 2004 America East Tournament title. Maine appeared in the 2004 NCAA Tournament and also participated in the 2003 and 2005 WNIT. Versyp was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005, and coached the America East Player of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Prior to arriving at Maine, Versyp was an assistant coach at Louisville and James Madison and head coach at Benton Central High School and Lawrence North High School - both in Indiana.
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