WHEELING – A former Weirton Madonna hoop great continues to move up the collegiate coaching

ladder.

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee – a 1992 Weirton Madonna grad – has been named head women’s basketball coach at the University of Albany. She landed the Division I post after a very successful stint at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

Bernabei-McNamee led Pikeville to a 63-26 record during her three-year tenure at the NAIA school. She guided her charges to a 26-9 record and a Final Four berth this season. As a result, the former Blue Don was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NAIA Regional Coach of the Year and the Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year.

She takes over a program coming off a monster campaign.

The Great Danes went 28-5 in winning the American East title and gaining an NCAA berth for the fifth straight season. Albany also defeated Florida this March for the program’s first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament victory.

Bernabei-McNamee replaces Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Central Florida.

“I am excited to be taking over a very competitive program. I was really attracted to Albany by all its success – winning five straight conference championships and winning an NCAA tourney game,” Bernabei-McNamee continued. “Albany fits my coaching style very well. The culture is already there – playing hard with a lot of intensity.

“That is what I am all about. I will look to put my spin on what they do,” she added. “I think they will respond to my coaching style and continue to build on their winning tradition.”

Bernabei-McNamee has been a busy camper since being named to the Albany post. She was formally introduced at a press conference Friday while transitioning from Kentucky to New York.

“I have been working tirelessly on putting a staff together,” Bernabei-McNamee noted. “We will have a big senior class, so we need a great staff in place soon so we can begin recruiting.”

She will be dealing with a mixed bag in her first season at helm of the Great Danes.

“We lose two quality seniors, one being an All-American and three-time conference player of the year,” Bernabei-McNamee offered. “But we do have an exciting core group returning. It is a group willing to put the work in.

“Being a part of the Albany program is a great opportunity for me and my family,” she added. “This program and the success it has already accomplished is a great fit for me. Every job prepares you for your next job, and I’ve been fortunate to have really positive experiences throughout my coaching career.”

Bernabei-McNamee enjoyed a brilliant Weirton Madonna career. She led the Lady Blue Dons to three straight state tournament appearances. The highlight being a state title her senior season.

She was named captain of the West Virginia Class A all-state team and captain of the OVAC Class A-AA West Virginia team in her senior season at Madonna. The multi-talented guard finished her prep career with 1,002 points and more than 500 career assists.

Bernabei-McNamee selected West Liberty to continue her academic and basketball careers. She again authored a brilliant basketball resume, earning All-American honors while being named WVC Player of-the-Year.

Bernabei-McNamee launched her coaching career at West Virginia Wesleyan. That was followed by stops at Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and the University of Maryland, helping guide the Lady Terps to a national title.

Joanna and her husband Joe McNamee have two sons, Luke (9) and Caden (8).

MONROE CENTRAL

THE SWITZERLAND of Ohio Local School District adopted a new policy this school year of drug testing all student athletes. The program is in partnership with Wheeling Hospital.

Monroe Central High School reported that 100 percent of its students in every sport tested drug-free. As a reward, all of the athletes attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game on April 14 at PNC Park. The trip was made possible by several donations from the community, including a large donation from the Woodsfield Kiwanis Club. The athletes also sold tickets on an Easter basket and Ohio State basket to help offset the cost.

Monroe Central Principal Casey Tolzda said, “We hope this initiative will be a way to promote student-athletes in continuing to be drug-free and great representatives of the school and community.”

BUBBA’S BITS

CONGRATULATIONS TO Greg Harkness on being named new head girls’ basketball coach at Bridgeport High. Greg has all the ingredients to be a successful head coach. He knows the game, has a great rapport with players, is a people person and has a boundless work ethic.

WEST VIRGINIA University head coaches will be heading to the Ohio Valley on Thursday as the annual Mountaineer Athletic Club/Belmont Mountaineer Athletic Club Coaches Caravan is staged at Oglebay Park’s Pine Room. In addition to Mountaineer coaches, WVU Athletic Director Shane Lyons and Tony Caridi, voice of the Mountaineers, will be in attendance.

THE NFL Draft unfolds Thursday. The Browns were prudent trading out of the No. 2 overall slot instead of fumbling on another first-round QB selection. The Brownies are now well-positioned to stock a talent-starved roster with some prime-time talent in the next two drafts.

GRANT GAYDOS is the new head football coach at Caldwell High. He replaces Josh Perkins who retired after posting a 50-47 record in nine seasons at the Redskins’ helm, including a 30-5 mark the past three seasons. Gaydos is a 2001 Caldwell High grad.

THE ALABAMA spring football game last Saturday drew higher TV ratings than any NHL playoff game that same day.