ATLANTA - Mercer women's basketball head coach Susie Gardner
was selected as the Atlanta Tipoff Club's 2022 Georgia College Women's Coach of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday.
Also honored by the Tipoff Club were Lorela Cubaj and Michael Devoe – both from Georgia Tech - named the 2022 Georgia College Basketball Players of the Year. Additionally, Rob Lanier of Georgia State was named the men's college coach of the year. The winners were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's board of selectors, which based its decisions on season-long performances.
"I have so much respect for the Atlanta Tipoff Club because they've been supporting men's and women's basketball since the 1950s," said Gardner. "I am fortunate to have an amazing staff of assistant coaches and players that are dedicated to our winning culture. I'm very honored and humbled by this award."
Gardner led the Bears to a 23-7 mark which included a trip to the NCAA tournament and a second consecutive Southern Conference tournament championship. Mercer won 12 league games in a row en route to the regular season championship and sixth season with 20 or more wins since joining the SoCon.
Prior to the SoCon Championship in early March, she was selected as the league's coach of the year after she led Bears to a 13-1 mark in conference play. It was also the fourth time Gardner was chosen with the distinction; following 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
About the Atlanta Tipoff Club
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, which have become the most prestigious national honors in all of college basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the Naismith Trophy recognizes the top Men's and Women's College Basketball Players of the Year. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the Men's and Women's College Basketball Coaches of the Year, Boys' and Girls' High School Basketball Players and Coaches of the Year, Basketball Officials and Outstanding Contributors to the game.