TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo and women's basketball coach Tricia Cullop have agreed to a contract extension through the 2017-18 campaign, Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced on Wednesday.

"Tricia has rebuilt a national-caliber program while being the head coach at the University of Toledo," O'Brien said. "Obviously winning the West Division title and returning to the postseason a season ago are a big part of that, but also her student-athletes have produced in the classroom and been very active in the community. We're pleased about this committment to Tricia and look forward to her being with us for many years to come."

"The University of Toledo is truly a special place, and I feel very honored to receive a contract extension through 2018," Cullop said. "Dr. Jacobs, Mike O'Brien and Kelly Andrews have been tremendous to work for the past two years, and I look forward to the many years to come. This gesture will speak volumes to recruits about the commitment level of the UT administration to our women's basketball program."

Cullop, who is about to embark on her third season guiding UT, has led the program to an impressive 43-22 overall record and a 23-9 conference mark, the second-best ledger in the league in the past two seasons. Individually, a trio of Rockets have earned All-MAC honors on five occasions - Tanika Mays (first team in 2009-10, second team in 2008-09), Naama Shafir (second-team in 2009-10, honorable mention in 2008-09) and Melissa Goodall (honorable mention in 2009-10).

"The past two years have been a joy watching the progress of our program," Cullop said. "Our players bought into the style of play, worked their tails off to improve and made great strides. Two years ago, we challenged our players to hang new banners in our arena and we have done that (one for MAC West title and one for WNIT 2nd round).

"We hope to soon raise the bar and challenge for a MAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. Our rafters are good reminders of a rich women's basketball history and even though we are proud of the strides we have made, our players want more."

In 2009-10, Toledo claimed the outright MAC West Division title for the first time since 2000-01, as well as advancing to the league-tourney finals. The Rockets' season was given new life after the tourney finals, as they earned their sixth all-time appearance in the WNIT. UT defeated Big East foe Pittsburgh in the first round and moved into the second round for the first time since 1998. Toledo finished 12-4 in conference action and concluded the season with a 25-9 ledger.

Toledo also ranked among the top 50 NCAA Division I schools in attendance in 2009-10, averaging 2,720 fans per contest, its highest total since the 2001-02 campaign (2,846), to rank 48th nationally and first among league schools for the 20th straight season.

The Rockets drew a school-record and MAC on-campus record 5,825 fans vs. Bowling Green on Jan. 30, topping the previous mark of 5,701 fans against Eastern Michigan on Feb. 28, 2009.

UT ended last season on a 13-game win streak in Savage Arena, its longest since the 1998-99 campaign, and is 24-3 (.889) at home under Cullop.

In her rookie campaign, Cullop guided the Rockets, picked to finish last in the West Division, to the league's third-best MAC record and an appearance in the semifinals of the postseason tourney. The Midnight Blue & Gold finished 11-5 in league play and wrapped up the year with a mark of 18-13.

For her efforts, Cullop was selected as the MAC co-Coach of the Year, sharing the top honor with Bowling Green's Curt Miller.

In the classroom, the Rockets have produced team GPAs above 3.0 in each of the last four semesters, with a total of eight players making the Dean's List. Spearheading the academic surge have been Naama Shafir and Lisa Johnson, who both earned Academic All-MAC recognition.

The Rockets have also been very active in the Toledo community during Cullop's time at UT, helping with projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Ovarian Cancer Walk, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Sponsor a Family for Christmas.