Aug. 28, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University basketball player Wendi Wilcox has been named the 2001 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Alabama. She will join the winners from the other 49 states and the District of Columbia at the 2001 NCAA Women of the Year awards dinner on Sunday, October 21, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Wilcox, the daughter of Wayne and Patti Wilcox, was a leader both on and off the court during her four-year career at Samford. The Vestavia Hills High School product was a co-captain for the 2000-01 Bulldogs, scoring seven points a game and grabbing 4.1 rebounds per contest. She graduated with honors in May and has just returned to Birmingham after spending the summer working as athletic director for a Christian athletic camp in Colorado.

"I am in shock," said Wilcox after hearing of the award. "I never thought I would win something like this. It is a great honor."

"For four years no one worked harder than Wendi," said Samford head coach Janet Cone. "She was a true student-athlete. She graduated on time, with honors, while playing basketball, and serving as a positive role model in the community."

The NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

The overall winner will be selected from ten finalists next month. "This is not only a great honor for Wendi but also for our program," said Cone. "I can't think of a better person to represent Samford or the State of Alabama."