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Henrickson selected as women's coach

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 29 - April 24, 1997

Bonnie Henrickson, who was associated with championship teams as a top assistant at Virginia Tech and Iowa, has been selected as the Hokies' new head coach of women's basketball.

Dave Braine, Tech's director of athletics, said Henrickson has been given a four-year contract at $85,000 a year. Under contract provisions, she is guaranteed a 5-percent raise each year and incentive payments for postseason play.

Henrickson will succeed her former boss, Carol Alfano, whose contract was not renewed after posting an overall record of 278-262 in 19 years at Tech.

Although many considered Henrickson a favorite for the job since the search began a month ago, Braine said it was far from automatic. "We had a number of outstanding candidates and the choice was very difficult," he said. "After careful consideration, we felt Bonnie was the right person for Virginia Tech at this time."

Henrickson, 34, was an assistant at Tech for seven seasons from 1988 through 1995 and was associate head coach her last two years in Blacksburg. She helped recruit two of the university's biggest stars, Christi Osborne and Jenny Root, who helped Tech post three straight 20-plus-win seasons.

It was during Henrickson's time on the bench that Tech enjoyed its greatest success in the sport. Tech won the Metro Conference Tournament championship in 1993-94, posting a 24-6 record, and then captured the league's regular season title the next year with an overall record of 22-9. Tech advanced to the NCAA Tournament both seasons.

Henrickson then joined the staff at Iowa. Iowa posted a 27-4 record in 1995-96, won the Big Ten regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA's Sweet 16. Last season, the Hawkeyes were 18-12, upset Illinois for the Big Ten Tournament title and again went to the NCAA Tournament.

Henrickson was recruiting coordinator at Iowa and helped the Hawkeyes bring in a recruiting class that is ranked 17th best in the country this season.

"When you start out as an assistant, you dream of landing a head-coaching job," Henrickson said. "This is a dream come true--to get my first head-coaching opportunity at Virginia Tech. I look forward to the challenge that lies ahead."

A native of Willmar, Minn., Henrickson received an undergraduate degree in physical education from Saint Cloud State University and a master's in physical education from Western Illinois.