Goucher College Appoints New Women's Basketball Coach

TOWSON, Md. – Goucher College Director of Athletics, Geoff Miller, announced Andrea Preston to be the eighth head women's basketball coach to take the helm for the Gophers since Goucher joined the NCAA in 1989.

Preston comes to Goucher from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio where she spent three years as the assistant women's basketball coach. Prior to taking the assistant position at Capital, she was the head women's basketball coach at Hiram College (2007-2014) and Clarkson University (2005-2007).

Preston takes over a young team that went 4-20 during the 2016-17 season, graduating only one senior. The Gophers plan to return eight players for the 2017-18 season, including Briana Bull '18, who was named Landmark Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year and honored on the All-Landmark Conference First Team.

"After a comprehensive search that attracted close to 200 applications, we are genuinely excited to have Andrea Preston join our team of Gopher coaches," stated Miller. "Andrea has proven to be a purposeful, bright, and highly analytical coach who has a strong history of relationship-building and recruitment."

"I would like to thank the committee and Mr. Miller for the opportunity to lead the women's basketball program at Goucher College," said Preston.   "I am honored to accept this position and look forward to building a program that the college can be proud of and one capable of achieving sustained success.  Mr. Miller's vision and the progressive nature of Goucher College made this position very attractive and a great fit for me."

While at Capital University, Preston studied under the tutelage of head coach, Dixie Jeffers, who is one of the nation's most winningest coaches at any level of the NCAA.

Preston went on to say, "I would also like to thank Dixie Jeffers at Capital University; I wouldn't be where I am today without her mentorship and friendship.  The support she and her family have extended to me the last three years has been incredible and 'thank you' is not adequate."

During Preston's tenure, the Crusaders posted a 48-35 record, including a trip to the OAC semifinals during the 2015-16 season and finals appearance during the 2014-15 campaign. Capital boasted two first team, two second team and three honorable mention selections to the All-OAC team between 2014 and 2017. Additionally, the Crusaders held a cumulative team GPA of 3.49, earning a #22 national ranking in the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Academic Honor Roll during the 2015-16 season.

While at the helm at Hiram College, Preston and the Terriers surpassed 12 school records and tied the school wins record. She also coached eight players to the All-NCAC team while fundraising to supplement the women's basketball operating budget.

During her time at Clarkson she coached two Liberty League All-Stars, nine Liberty League Academic All-Stars and one ESPN the Magazine All-Academic honoree.

Preston attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she earned her bachelor's in health and physical education with a minor in athletic training. She went on to earn her master's degree in exercise and sport science with a concentration in sport administration at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She is a member of the Alliance of Women Coaches, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly known as NACWAA).

Miller closed his remarks by saying, "It will take some time, but we have found the right person to build our women's basketball program into a level of competitiveness that will allow us to hold our own in one of the stronger conferences in the nation."

(Photo courtesy of Capital University Sports Information)