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Norfolk State Names Tara Owens as New Women’s Basketball Coach
April 4, 2007
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State University has hired Tara Owens as the Spartans’ new women’s basketball coach.
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Tara Owens |
Owens has served as the head coach at Elizabeth City State University the last three seasons, compiling a 58-31 record. She led the Lady Vikings to the finals of the CIAA Tournament on two occasions (2005, 2007).
“We’re very excited about the opportunity to acquire someone of coach Owens’ caliber,” NSU AD Marty Miller said. “We feel that she has the talent and leadership ability to propel our women’s basketball program to higher levels.”
“I’m very excited about the opportunity here at Norfolk State,” Owens said. “I believe we can have a lot of success here, and I look forward to being a part of a great women’s basketball program and athletics department.”
In 2006-07, Owens led ECSU to a 21-10 record, one of two 20-win seasons during her three-year tenure. After falling to North Carolina Central in the CIAA Tournament championship game, the Lady Vikings earned an at-large berth to the NCAA South Atlantic Regional. That team was led by CIAA Player of the Year Celeste Trahan, a Daktronics Division II second-team All-American.
Owens got her start in coaching at Division II Cheyney (Pa.) University. She served as an assistant coach for two seasons prior to taking over as head coach from 1998-2004. At Cheyney, Owens also held the title of senior woman administrator and project administrator/activity director for the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP).
Owens played at Virginia State University from 1988-91. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education/health from VSU in 1993, and her master’s in education administration and supervision from Cheyney in 1998.
Owens replaces James Sweat, who retired following the 2006-07 season, his 19th at the helm of the program.
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