Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 5, 2005 by Ken Corbitt Capital-Journal
Ron McHenry, who guided the Washburn Lady Blues to their first national championship, was named the Molton/Women's Division II Bulletin national coach of the year on Monday.
McHenry, in his fifth season as coach of the Lady Blues, put together a 35-2 record, culminating with a 70-53 victory over Seattle Pacific in the NCAA Division II title game on March 26 in Hot Springs, Ark.
The Lady Blues were MIAA regular season and postseason tournament champions. McHenry was voted MIAA coach of the year for the first time after winning the regular season title for the third year in a row.
"Any time you win a national award, it's exciting," McHenry said. "I'm sure there were probably other years when I may have done a better job of coaching and didn't win any awards, so it goes hand- in-hand with winning.
"I'm fortunate to have great players and a great coaching staff. I'm honored, but I'm more excited about the success we had as a team."
The award is sponsored by Molten, which manufactures basketballs, and the Division II Bulletin, which is in its 12th year of publication. As the winner of the award, McHenry will receive the Molten Gold Trophy Ball.
"Ron did a great job with his team this year and is most deserving of this award," said Gary Rubin, publisher of the Division II Bulletin. "Winning a national title is quite an accomplishment."
McHenry was returning to Topeka on Monday from the Division I women's Final Four in Indianapolis where he was presented the Lady Blues' national championship trophy sponsored Avis and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.