SAULT STE. MARIE – Shannon Eggers, a member of the Lake Superior State women’s basketball coaching staff for five seasons, has been promoted from interim head coach to head coach, LSSU Director of Athletics Kris Dunbar announced today.
When Eggers was named LSSU’s interim head coach on Aug. 9, 2012, she was the Lakers’ third head coach in as many seasons. Her return will add much-needed stability to the program with a proud tradition.
“I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to continue to be a part of such an amazing program in one of the best Division II conferences in the nation,” Eggers said. “In order to succeed, our program's level of intensity has to completely change, and after one year of being an interim head coach I have quickly learned what works and what doesn't. This team must compete every night, be hard-working and play together game in and game out. The coaches in the GLIAC, from top to bottom, are some of the best, and they will continue to challenge me night in and night out to get better and make our program better. I'm finally feeling settled and I'm anxious to get to work for the upcoming season.”
Dunbar, who was 154-72 while coaching the Lakers from 1998-06, conducted a national search following the conclusion of the 2012-13 season.
“I am very pleased that Shannon will be leading our women's basketball program,” Dunbar said. “She has been a devoted assistant and interim coach for the past five years. Her passion for Laker Athletics is evident from her commitment to the women's basketball team to the successful fund-raising efforts for the athletic department. The search committee looked at a very strong pool of candidates for this position. But in the end, Shannon stood out as the right person to bring success to the program.”
LSSU graduated only one player, All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team forward Maria Blazejewski, from this year’s squad. Four players signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at LSSU during the Fall signing period, indicating their commitment to LSSU and Eggers during the program’s transition period.
“I want to thank Kris for showing confidence in me, knowing how much this program means to her,” Eggers continued. “We have a rich basketball tradition at LSSU, and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of it.”
