April 14, 2008

FAIRBANKS, AK- Alaska head women's basketball coach Lynne Andrew officially announced her resignation today, ending her five-year tenure with the Nanooks.

"It's with mixed emotions that I resign my position as head women's basketball coach at the University of Alaska Fairbanks," said Andrew. "I consider it a great opportunity to have had my first head coaching job in Alaska. The combined support of the community and university played a large part in the development of my coaching career."

Andrew, who joined the team prior to the 2003-04 season, leaves the Blue and Gold with a 52-80 record, including a 29-59 mark in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

Andrew's best season with Alaska came in the 2004-05 campaign, when she led the Blue and Gold to 13 wins and a fifth-place conference finish. The team ended the year with a school-best 9-9 mark in the GNAC as well.

This past season, Andrew guided the Nanooks to a 12-14 record, including wins in three of the team's final four games. The 12 overall wins were the second-most victories in a season posted by Andrew in her five-year stay.

The 2007-08 season also saw Sheena Brown become the third player under Andrew to receive Daktronics All-West Region honors, as she was named to the region's second team. Cody Burgess received All-West Region first team honors in 2005, while Adrienne Taalak earned a spot on the second team.

"It has always been my goal to develop strong student athletes and role models on and off the basketball court," said Andrew. "Although our on-court success varied, the success my players achieved in the classroom has been consistent. This is evident by an overall team GPA of 3.20 over the past 5 years, during which time fifteen student athletes have graduated and gone on to pursue careers or further their education."

"The greatest reward of my coaching experience here is the relationships that I've built within my teams," she said. "I wish the players and university great success and I look forward to following their achievements."

"I want to thank Coach Andrew for her years of service to UAF," athletics director Forrest Karr said. "The student athletes under her guidance achieved many successes on and off the court. We wish her the best in everything."

Karr said that the search process to find a replacement for Andrew will begin immediately.