NKU’s Michelle Cottrell

INDIANAPOLIS - Former Northern Kentucky University standout Michelle Cottrell has been named to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball 25th Anniversary Team.

The NCAA named five athletes and one coach to the Division II Women’s Basketball 25th Anniversary Team for their achievements while competing and coaching in NCAA championship competition. The NCAA is celebrating its 25th year of women’s championships in 2005-06.

“This is not only a tremendous honor for Michelle, it’s a great honor for NKU and the entire northern Kentucky community,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “Just think, in 25 years there have been thousands and thousands of women play college basketball, and Michelle has been chosen as one of the all-time top five.

“What an incredible accomplishment. She is certainly deserving of this honor.”

Cottrell, a graduate of Boone County High School, finished her career as NKU’s all-time scoring leader with 2,241 points, and she was named Kodak NCAA Division II All-American three times. Cottrell also earned Division II Bulletin National Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior.

In addition, she was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year three times. Cottrell

Michelle Cottrell as an assistant coach

earned most outstanding player honors at the 2000 NCAA Division II Elite Eight after leading NKU to the national championship with an overtime victory against North Dakota State.

Cottrell finished her career with 48 double-doubles, and NKU advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight three times during her career.

“Michelle’s individual and team accomplishments during her career stand alone,” Winstel said. “As Michelle’s coach, I think I speak on behalf of all of her teammates in saying that it was an honor and a privilege to have coached and to have played with Cott.

“She is truly a great player, and an outstanding role model for young boys and girls. We are very proud of her.”

An NCAA Division II women’s basketball sports committee named an expert panel to select the Division II Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. The panel, which consisted of current and former coaches and athletics administrators, used historical data and results from online public voting to make its decision.

Joining Cottrell on the team are Niki Bracken of Cal-Poly, Jenny Crouse of North Dakota, Carla Eades of Central Missouri State and Kasey Morlock of North Dakota State. Amy Ruley, who led North Dakota State to five national championships and 10 Elite Eight appearances, was named the head coach of the 25th Anniversary Team.

The NCAA Division II Basketball 25th Anniversary Team

•Niki Bracken, California State Poly University
NCAA All-Tournament Teams (1987, 89, 90)
NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1989, 90)

•Michelle Cottrell, Northern Kentucky University
NCAA All-Tournament Team (2000)
NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (2000)
NCAA National Championship (2000)
NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (2000, 01, 02)

•Jenny Crouse, University of North Dakota
NCAA All-Tournament Team (1997, 98, 99)
NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (1998, 99)
NCAA National Championship (1997, 98, 99)
WBCA Division II Player of the Year (1998, 99)
NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1998, 99)

•Carla Eades, Central Missouri State University
NCAA All-Tournament Team (1983, 84)
NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (1984)
NCAA National Championship (1984)
WBCA Division II Player of the Year (1984)
NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1983, 84)

•Kasey Morlock, North Dakota State University
1995 and 1996 NCAA All-Tournament Team (1995, 96)
1995 and 1996 NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (1995, 96)
NCAA National Championship (1995, 96)
WBCA Division II Player of the Year (1997)
NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1995, 96, 97)

•Amy Ruley, North Dakota State University (Coach)
10 Division II Elite Eight appearances (1986-88, 91-96, 2000)
5 Division II National Championship titles (1991, 93, 94, 95, 96)