AnnMarie Gilbert was announced as Eastern Michigan University's
new women's basketball coach at a press conference May
15.
Gilbert replaces Suzy Merchant, who was named the head
coach at Michigan State University in early May.
"She is a rising star in the collegiate coaching ranks," said
EMU Athletic Director Derrick Gragg. "AnnMarie has proven
her ability as a coach and recruiter, and we are confident
that success will follow her as the leader of the EMU women's
basketball team."
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CHANGING OF THE GUARD: AnnMarie Gilbert
is
introduced as Eastern Michigan University's
new
head women's basketball coach during a press
conference in the Convocation Center May 15 while
EMU President John Fallon applauds. Gilbert most
recently
was an assistant basketball coach and
recruiting director for Michigan State University. |
EMU President John Fallon referenced the book, "Good to
Great," by Jim Collins. The book talks about moving an
organization from being good to being great.
"Good is the enemy of great," Fallon said. "Sometimes,
when someone gets good, they get comfortable and it can
prevent them from going to the next level," Fallon said. "People
make the difference between a good organization and a great
organization. We expect a transformation and I pledge my
support to do everything we can to make this happen."
Gilbert spent the past five years as an assistant women's
basketball coach at Michigan State University. She has
been a coach for 16 years, including eight seasons as the
head coach of the women's team at Oberlin College.
"I came from being a Spartan to an Eagle, and I am ready
to soar," Gilbert told a standing-room-only crowd at the
Convocation Center. "Going from good to great takes a lot
of hard work and commitment, and that exists here (at EMU)."
Gilbert acknowledged Merchant's success in building the
program and said that she met with her new team and is
impressed.
"I asked them to be individuals that walk with a swagger," said
Gilbert, 39. "I told them that we are going to work hard
and work hard some more. They will hear me say that a lot."
Gilbert, who was the recruiting director while at MSU,
said recruiting is the key to long-term success for the
program.
"Recruiting is the reason programs have longevity," said
Gilbert. "We are going to recruit quality athletes who
get it done in the classroom and on the court."
Gilbert helped put together four top 25 recruiting classes
in the past four years at MSU.
Gilbert began her coaching career in 1994 with Oberlin
College in Ohio. She helped build a program from three
wins in her first season to 15 victories in her fourth
season. During her career at Oberlin, she led the team
to six post-season appearances in the North Coast Athletic
Conference Tournament. She is currently the winningest
coach in Oberlin women's basketball history.
Gilbert is a 1991 graduate of Oberlin College and played
for the team after transferring from Ohio University. While
at Oberlin, she was a two-time Kodak First Team All-American,
a two time conference player of the year and the Champion
USA/WBCA Player of the Year in 1991. As a junior, she led
the nation in scoring (31.1 points per game) and was the
nation's second leading scorer as a senior (31.3 ppg).
She set the NCAA Division III record for points in a game
with 61 in 1991.
"It's an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to
lead this team to new heights," Gilbert said.
