Mark Edwards Named National Coach of the Year

Beaverton, Ore., March 25, 2008 – Fresh off its first men's basketball national championship, Washington University swept the 2008 DIII News Postseason Awards, the publication announced in its April issue.

Senior forward Troy Ruths was named the DIII News Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game for the Bears in 2007-08. Ruths was a first-team all-University Athletic Association (UAA), D3hoops.com Midwest Region and National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) All-District selection in 2008. He was also the D3hoops.com Player of the Year and the Jostens Award honoree.

Ruths poured in 31.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game at the Final Four, shooting 71.4 (20-28) percent from the field and 88.5 (23-26) percent from the foul line.

"There were several top candidates for this award and we felt that Troy’s regular season accomplishments and his performance in the postseason made him the top choice," said DIII News Editor Gary Rubin. "He proved that he is the top player in the country at the Division III level."

Ruths was joined on the DIII News All-America first team by Guilford senior Ben Strong, Amherst’s Andrew Olson, Matt Byrnes of Rowan, and Hope’s Marcus Vanderheide.

Head coach Mark Edwards has been named the 2008 Molten/DIII News Coach of the Year and the D3hoops.com Coach of the Year. Edwards, who also won the award in 2002, led his Bears to a 25-6 overall record and the 2008 Division III national championship. The winningest coach in team history with a 477-233 (.672) record, Edwards has guided the Bears to a school-record 24-consecutive winning seasons.

"Mark did a great job with his club in an exceptionally tough conference, and has a national championship to show for the program’s efforts," said Rubin. "We are pleased to award him the Molten trophy again this year for all his hard work and successes."

Edwards will receive the coveted Molten Gold Trophy ball to recognize his award. DIII News, published since 1993, is the leading publication covering Division III men's basketball. More information can be found at www.smallcollegehoops.com.