Ball State University Athletics
Packard Signs Two-Year Contract Extension
August 07, 2009 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Tom Collins, Director of Athletics at Ball State University announced today the signing of women's basketball head coach Kelly Packard to a two-year contract extension. The extension runs through the 2015 season.
"Kelly Packard had an outstanding season in her first year as the head women's basketball coach at Ball State," Collins says. "She enabled our program to make a very smooth transition to a new head coach and accomplished things never before done with Ball State women's basketball. We are excited she is happy at Ball State and we look forward to continued success with our women's basketball program."
Packard became the first coach in Ball State's women basketball history to win 26 games in a rookie season. She led the Cardinals to their best ever overall and home records, 26-9 and 14-1, respectively. Ball State also had its best Mid-America Conference showing, turning in a 14-2 ledger.
"I appreciated the opportunity that Ball State University granted me, now more than one year ago, to lead the women's basketball program," said Packard. "Now, many introductions, experiences and highlights later, my appreciation has grown to a deeper level. The word opportunity stood out so strongly as I accepted this role, and it has been affirmed many times over as I have integrated into the Ball State University community and the Muncie community. I am excited about the future of our women's basketball program and Ball State athletics, and greatly appreciate the additional commitment."
In her first season Packard guided Ball State to its third straight MAC West Division title, its first MAC Tournament championship and its first NCAA Tournament berth. Packard stunned the women's basketball world when she coached her team to a first round win in the NCAA tournament against two time defending national champions, the University of Tennessee, 71-55. With the win Ball State managed to extend its win streak to 12 straight victories which was the longest win streak in program history.
In April Packard was selected by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as the recipient of the 2009 Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year award. This distinguished award honors a WBCA Division I head coach who has led their team to a successful season during their first year at the helm.
