May 14, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy women's basketball head coach Stefanie Pemper announced today the hiring of Becky Geyer as an associate head coach with the program. Geyer will begin her responsibilities as a member of the staff on July 1.

Geyer has compiled a 263-191 record in 17 seasons as a head coach. She accepted her first head coaching position in 1992 with Trinity University. During her 13-year tenure at the Division III school located in San Antonio, Texas, Geyer led the Tigers to 10 winning seasons, four trips to the NCAA Tournament and to the 2003 National Championship. She was named as the Molten Division III Coach of the Year in both 1995 and 2003 and chaired the Championship Committee for the 2003 and `04 NCAA D-III Tournaments.

Geyer left Trinity in the summer of 2005 to serve as an assistant coach at Central Florida. After one year at the school she accepted her most recent position as the head coach at Jacksonville (Ala.) State.

A three-sport standout, Geyer competed on the basketball, volleyball and softball teams throughout her four years at Northern State University (Aberdeen, S.D.). A 1987 graduate of the school, she went on to earn a Master's Degree in adapted physical education from Illinois State before beginning her coaching career at Augustana College in 1989. She remained there until June of 1992 when she took the reins as the head coach at Trinity.

"Becky will be an outstanding colleague and asset to our program," said Navy head coach Stefanie Pemper. "Her wealth of experience and success as a head coach specifically will add a lot to our staff. I met Becky in 2004 when she was the chair of the NCAA Division III National Tournament committee. She has earned the respect of her peers everywhere she's been with her professionalism, integrity and passion for coaching. She's hungry to help us succeed at Navy and we're lucky to get her."

"I am honored to be part of the Naval Academy," said Geyer. "I would like to thank Coach Pemper and (Navy Director of Athletics) Mr. Chet Gladchuk for the opportunity they have afforded me to be part of the women's basketball program."

A vacancy on the Navy staff was created when two-year assistant coach Courtney Ruggles announced her decision to pursue other interests within the educational field in her native region of New England.

"Courtney did an excellent job and we will miss her," said Pemper, who coached Ruggles at Bowdoin. "She had a specific niche on our staff that I came to rely on tremendously. I know this was a difficult decision and I'm proud of her for making it. I've known Courtney since she was 17 years old and the six years we've worked together has been a blessing in my life. Courtney could do just about anything professionally and be an asset to those around her. She has a gift for helping the effectiveness and morale of a group, and is as impressive a person as I've ever met."

"I have truly enjoyed my time in Annapolis and being part of the Naval Academy community," said Ruggles. "I am thankful that Stefanie gave me such a great opportunity that allowed me to be part of a creative and dynamic staff and to work with some amazing young women. There is something special here and I will miss being a part of it."