NORMAL — The Illinois State women’s basketball team looked back fondly and forward optimistically at a postseason celebration before several hundred people Tuesday at Redbird Arena.
The enthusiasm from ISU’s 28-8 season and second straight advancement to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament semifinals was tempered slightly by last week’s departure of head coach Robin Pingeton and three assistants to similar positions at Missouri.
“I have never been more proud of a group of student-athletes,” Redbird director of athletics Sheahon Zenger said. “What this group has accomplished is phenomenal.”
Zenger then addressed the vacancies on the team’s coaching staff with a passage from Gene Hackman’s character in the classic basketball movie “Hoosiers.”
“To quote Norman Dale, this is our team,” Zenger said. “I would hope you would support who we are, not who we are not.”
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Redbird seniors Nicolle Lewis, Ashleen Bracey and Maggie Krick, who combined for a sparkling 3.63 grade point average, were honored with framed jerseys and introduced with emotional remarks from teammates. With a 103-34 record, the trio was part of more victories over a four-year span than any ISU class.
“It’s gone incredibly fast, and I’ve gained a lifetime of memories,” Krick said. “There is too much worth celebrating to not mention them (Pingeton and assistants Randy Norton, Willie Cox and Jenny Putnam).
“Coach P almost single-handedly molded me into a confident, bold, ready-for-the-real-world woman. I wish them the best, and I’m sure we’ll be great friends forever.”
Lewis also thanked the former Redbird coaches.
“Because of them, we are together. For that, we should be eternally grateful,” she said. “When it comes to the family atmosphere here, you (returning Redbirds) have control over what happens.”
Awards were handed out by the lone remaining staff member, director of basketball operations Taren Martin.
“My job is being there for the girls during this transition,” said Martin. “Initially, it was really hard, but they are working through it. They’re adults. They are excited to see what’s next for ISU women’s basketball.”
Junior point guard Amanda Clifton said after bidding farewell to the seniors, the Redbirds will go about their usual offseason activities until a new coach is named.
“Tonight is all about celebrating what the seniors have done and what they’ve left for us,” she said. “It’s up to us to get into the gym and do what we’ve been doing since we got here.
“We’re going with the flow. He (Zenger) has talked to us plenty of times. We know they are going to do what’s good for us. They are here for us. We definitely trust them.”
Zenger indicated the search for Pingeton’s replacement remains in the preliminary stages.
“I’m talking to lots of people at this point,” he said.
Bracey received the team’s rebounding and free throw awards. Freshman Megan Grace was presented the Jill Hutchison Leadership Award.
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