Binford Takes Reins of Women's Hoop Program
4/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Utah State assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tricia Bader Binford has been named the 11th Head Women's Basketball Coach at Montana State University, announced MSU Director of Athletics Peter Fields.
Binford, who has been at Utah State the past two seasons, played in the WNBA for the Cleveland Rockers and Utah Starzz, prior to her stint in Logan. As Tricia Bader, she played collegiately at Boise State University, and was a three-time All-Big Sky Conference performer.
"Tricia is very focused and has a lot of energy, which will serve us well as we begin a new era in Montana State women's basketball," Fields said. "It's no secret what our program has been through. We believe that she will establish a new course in our future. Tricia is player-centered and is respected by all she has been in contact with. She's a great communicator and a positive motivator."
Binford has spent the last two seasons at Utah State, where under the direction of USU head coach Raegan Pebley, the Aggie program was reestablished following a 16-year hiatus. In just two seasons, Utah State's program has moved from a 5-22 campaign during the 2003-04 season to a 14-14 mark this winter.
"It's an amazing opportunity to become part of the Montana State Athletics staff," Binford said. "From the outstanding reputation of the University to facilities to community support, the program is setup for success. For my family, this is a perfect fit. I'm excited to get back into the Big Sky Conference, provide stability and continue the tradition of a fine program."
Binford, who was the 31st overall pick in the 1998 WNBA draft, played professionally with the Cleveland Rockers from 1999-02 and participated on the 2001 Eastern Conference Championship team. She played with the Utah Starzz during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. She also played professionally in Australia for two years.
Binford served as an assistant coach at Boise State University from 1999-2001.
As a point guard at Boise State, Binford led the Broncos to a national ranking and an appearance in the 1994 NCAA Tournament. She finished her career at BSU as the all-time leader in assists and was second in steals. For her efforts, she was named the 1996 Idaho NCAA Woman of the Year and was inducted in the Boise State Hall of Fame in 2001.
Binford prepped at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colo., where she was the Colorado Player of the Year and a Street and Smith's High School All-American in 1991.
She received her degree in criminal justice from Boise State in 1995. Binford and her husband Todd, have one son: Justin, born April 3, 2004.
More Quotes on Tricia Binford:
Binford on coaching philosophy: "I want every player to walk out with her diploma, feel a sense of allegiance to the University and community, be confident in entering the world, and know how to keep fighting for her dreams. I have always achieved my success by working hard, being perseverant, not giving up, and believing in the possibilities. This will be the trademark of my staff and team.
From Montana State President Geoff Gamble: "Tricia Binford has clearly articulated her vision to help student-athletes be successful college graduates. She will be a valuable addition to the MSU team."
From Dr. Linda Simonsen, mathematics, and chair of the MSU Women's Basketball Screening Committee: "Tricia's candidacy evoked broad and enthusiastic consensus among the members of the screening committee. The uniform enthusiasm for Tricia is especially remarkable given the broad range of backgrounds and sensibilities of the screening committee members, ranging from faculty, to sports psychology, to boosters. We are delighted with the professional and personal balance that Tricia brings to athletics at Montana State University."
From Raegan Pebley, head coach at Utah State: ""This is a great opportunity for Tricia and her family. Montana State is getting a great coach and this will be a good fit for both parties. Tricia getting this job says a lot about Utah State and what the players have accomplished the last few years. It will be impossible to replace her, but we hope to find someone that can add to our program as much as she did."
From June Daugherty, head coach at the University of Washington and Binford's coach at Boise State: "Montana State is getting a great one. It's exciting to see a former Big Sky Conference great come back to the league and coach. She is a dynamite person and a real pistol. Tricia is a competitor, and her being at Montana State is a great situation for everyone. She is the consummate point-guard and has a lot of fire. I've known her since she was 17 years-old. She comes from a great background and a great family. Tricia is bright, intelligent, passionate, and never backs down from anything. She is a walking motivator and the student-athletes will have a great experience at Montana State.
From Dan Hughes, head coach of WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars and Binford's coach while playing for the Cleveland Rockers: "I'm absolutely thrilled for Tricia. The players at Montana State, the community and alumni will be thrilled, as well. In all my years of coaching, I've never had a player work harder and raise the value of the team as she did from her position. She embodies all the right things about collegiate athletics. She knows how to message players about working effectively, being good student-athletes and how to go about reaching their full potential."
Binford, who has been at Utah State the past two seasons, played in the WNBA for the Cleveland Rockers and Utah Starzz, prior to her stint in Logan. As Tricia Bader, she played collegiately at Boise State University, and was a three-time All-Big Sky Conference performer.
"Tricia is very focused and has a lot of energy, which will serve us well as we begin a new era in Montana State women's basketball," Fields said. "It's no secret what our program has been through. We believe that she will establish a new course in our future. Tricia is player-centered and is respected by all she has been in contact with. She's a great communicator and a positive motivator."
Binford has spent the last two seasons at Utah State, where under the direction of USU head coach Raegan Pebley, the Aggie program was reestablished following a 16-year hiatus. In just two seasons, Utah State's program has moved from a 5-22 campaign during the 2003-04 season to a 14-14 mark this winter.
"It's an amazing opportunity to become part of the Montana State Athletics staff," Binford said. "From the outstanding reputation of the University to facilities to community support, the program is setup for success. For my family, this is a perfect fit. I'm excited to get back into the Big Sky Conference, provide stability and continue the tradition of a fine program."
Binford, who was the 31st overall pick in the 1998 WNBA draft, played professionally with the Cleveland Rockers from 1999-02 and participated on the 2001 Eastern Conference Championship team. She played with the Utah Starzz during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. She also played professionally in Australia for two years.
Binford served as an assistant coach at Boise State University from 1999-2001.
As a point guard at Boise State, Binford led the Broncos to a national ranking and an appearance in the 1994 NCAA Tournament. She finished her career at BSU as the all-time leader in assists and was second in steals. For her efforts, she was named the 1996 Idaho NCAA Woman of the Year and was inducted in the Boise State Hall of Fame in 2001.
Binford prepped at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colo., where she was the Colorado Player of the Year and a Street and Smith's High School All-American in 1991.
She received her degree in criminal justice from Boise State in 1995. Binford and her husband Todd, have one son: Justin, born April 3, 2004.
More Quotes on Tricia Binford:
Binford on coaching philosophy: "I want every player to walk out with her diploma, feel a sense of allegiance to the University and community, be confident in entering the world, and know how to keep fighting for her dreams. I have always achieved my success by working hard, being perseverant, not giving up, and believing in the possibilities. This will be the trademark of my staff and team.
From Montana State President Geoff Gamble: "Tricia Binford has clearly articulated her vision to help student-athletes be successful college graduates. She will be a valuable addition to the MSU team."
From Dr. Linda Simonsen, mathematics, and chair of the MSU Women's Basketball Screening Committee: "Tricia's candidacy evoked broad and enthusiastic consensus among the members of the screening committee. The uniform enthusiasm for Tricia is especially remarkable given the broad range of backgrounds and sensibilities of the screening committee members, ranging from faculty, to sports psychology, to boosters. We are delighted with the professional and personal balance that Tricia brings to athletics at Montana State University."
From Raegan Pebley, head coach at Utah State: ""This is a great opportunity for Tricia and her family. Montana State is getting a great coach and this will be a good fit for both parties. Tricia getting this job says a lot about Utah State and what the players have accomplished the last few years. It will be impossible to replace her, but we hope to find someone that can add to our program as much as she did."
From June Daugherty, head coach at the University of Washington and Binford's coach at Boise State: "Montana State is getting a great one. It's exciting to see a former Big Sky Conference great come back to the league and coach. She is a dynamite person and a real pistol. Tricia is a competitor, and her being at Montana State is a great situation for everyone. She is the consummate point-guard and has a lot of fire. I've known her since she was 17 years-old. She comes from a great background and a great family. Tricia is bright, intelligent, passionate, and never backs down from anything. She is a walking motivator and the student-athletes will have a great experience at Montana State.
From Dan Hughes, head coach of WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars and Binford's coach while playing for the Cleveland Rockers: "I'm absolutely thrilled for Tricia. The players at Montana State, the community and alumni will be thrilled, as well. In all my years of coaching, I've never had a player work harder and raise the value of the team as she did from her position. She embodies all the right things about collegiate athletics. She knows how to message players about working effectively, being good student-athletes and how to go about reaching their full potential."
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