Ravens all-time wins leader set to re-assume role as head women's basketball coach after 13 years following three years as assistant coach

RINDGE, N.H. (June 11, 2009) - Franklin Pierce University has announced that Steve Hancock will return as head coach of the women's basketball team. The announcement was made today by Bruce Kirsh, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University, and confirmed by President Dr. George J. Hagerty.

"I am very pleased that Steve Hancock has agreed to become our next head women's basketball coach," said Kirsh. "Based upon his earlier success as our head coach from 1988-96, as well as being our assistant coach the past three years, it allows for a seamless transition. Steve is a proven winner and I expect that we will continue be very competitive within our conference and region moving forward."

Hancock replaces Mark Swasey who resigned last week to accept the head women's basketball coaching position at California University of Pennsylvania. Hancock served the last three years as Swasey's assistant in which the Ravens posted a record of 73-23 (.760), breaking the program's single-season win record in each of the last two years, capturing back-to-back NCAA Division II Regional titles and winning both the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships for the first time this past winter. Franklin Pierce set a program record with 29 wins en route to making its first ever appearance in the national championship game.

"I am happy to be back as the head coach and I know I still have a lot of fire and desire to give to the program at Franklin Pierce," said Hancock. "I am happy for Mark (Swasey) and his opportunity and I was pleased with my role over the past three years. While I wasn't necessarily looking to move up, I welcome the opportunity to take over a program that is in great position to continue to compete at a high level. It's not going to be easy taking over a program that is coming off a National Championship appearance, but we have a great group of young women in the program and I am looking forward to moving over a seat and continue to work with them."

Hancock resumes control of the women's basketball program at Franklin Pierce after a 13-year break in that capacity. He led the Ravens to a 135-92 (.590) record over eight seasons from 1988-96, which included three NCAA Tournament

berths and two New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championships. The program's all-time leader in wins, Hancock was twice named NECC Coach of the Year, earning the honors in 1991-92 and '93-'94.

Hancock's teams posted a 101-45 (.692) record over his last five seasons at the helm, including a 63-19 (.768) mark in NECC play. The Ravens set a school record for wins during a 24-7 campaign in 1991-92, which stood until the 2007-08 season, claiming the first NECC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in program history. He left the program following the 1995-96 season to accept an increased role as administrator in the Gardner (Mass.) School system.

Hancock has an incredible eye for talent as his programs in the late-1980's and 1990's produced ten All-NECC performers, including 1990-91 NECC Rookie of the Year Dina Sawicki, 1992-93 NECC Rookie of the Year Cassie Beckwith and 1993-94 NECC Player of the Year Kelly Jewett, five ECAC All-Stars and five Franklin Pierce Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

Hancock, who retired in 2006 after 35 years as a teacher and administrator in the Gardner school system, currently resides in Gardner with his wife, Rosemary. The couple has two grown children, a son, Chris, and daughter, Maryjustine. Chris played college baseball at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while his daughter is a member of the softball team at Assumption College.

Steve Hancock by the numbers...

Head Coach at Franklin Pierce

                                                Overall      Conference

Assistant Coach at Franklin Pierce

                                                Overall             NE-10