University of Delaware Office of Public Relations The Messenger Vol. 5, No. 4/1996 Women's basketball gets new head coach Tina Martin, who helped lead Seton Hall University to two NCAA Tournament appearances in the last three years, has been named new head coach of the University women's basketball program. Martin, who served as an assistant under head coach Phyllis Mangina the previous nine seasons at Seton Hall, replaces Joyce Perry, who resigned in March after 18 seasons. Martin is only the third head coach in the University of Delaware women's basketball program, following Perry and Mary Ann Hitchens, now associate athletic director, who coached the team from 1972-78. "Tina is a great addition to our women's basketball program," Athletic Director Edgar Johnson says. "We are fortunate in that we have attracted such a high-caliber individual to the staff. She is energetic, well-respected and has a proven track record as a recruiter. She knows the area well, which will be a big asset." A native of Williamsport, Pa., Martin was a two-time All- American and a four-time first team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference performer at NCAA Division II Lock Haven University. She earned her degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1986. Martin began her coaching career as an assistant at Lock Haven in 1986 before joining Mangina's staff in 1987. She has served as the top assistant and recruiting officer there the past six seasons, signing nine high school All-Americans. Martin assisted in building the Pirate program into a Big East power and helped the team advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and a national ranking in 1994. In 1995, Seton Hall made a second appearance in the NCAA tournament and the team advanced to the Big East finals during two of the last three years. Perry, Delaware '73, '79M, served as basketball coach from 1978, compiling a 266-212 record. Perry said a major factor in her decision to resign was the large amount of travel associated with recruiting and away season play. Among Perry's accomplishments were three consecutive East Coast Conference championships in 1989, '90 and '91 and seven seasons when her teams won 18 or more games.