Women's Basketball

Manchester, N.H. (May 18, 2009) -- DeAnn Craft has been named as the Saint Anselm women's basketball head coach, announced Ed Cannon, director of athletics.

"Coach Craft brings extensive experience, including national recruiting at many levels," said Cannon. "Her skill set brings success as a teacher, coach and communicator. We look forward, with great excitement, to coach Craft directing the future of our women's basketball program."

Craft comes to the Hilltop after six seasons as the head coach at The University of Texas-Pan American, where she was the program's all-time wins leader. This past season, the Lady Broncs tied the program's single-season record for victories with a 14-16 overall record and a 10-3 mark at home, including five straight wins to begin the home schedule.

Throughout her years at UTPA, Craft has coached a number of players that have earned postseason accolades, including a pair of players in 2007-2008 that were named to the NCAA Division I All-Independent Team. Her teams have also been successful in the community, with her program twice earning the UTPA Image Award for their community service in the Rio Grande Valley.

During her 19-year coaching career, Craft's other stops range from junior college all the way to the professional ranks. She has served as an assistant coach at Wichita State and San Diego State, as well as with the Richmond Rage of the ABL. Her other head coaching positions have been at Cowley County Community College (KS) from 1993-96 and at Lamar University from 1998-2002.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Craft graduated in 1987 with a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice. Craft played for two seasons at UCF, where she averaged 20.9 points per game and led the nation in free throw shooting at 92.6 percent from the line. In addition to UCF, Craft played two seasons at Barton Community College, where she helped guide her team to a top-10 national ranking.

A native of Garden City, Kansas, Craft was the first female athlete inducted into the Garden City High School Athletic Hall of Fame.